The Knicks pondered the possibility of pursuing Sixers forward Tobias Harris in a trade prior to their recent winning streak, Ian Begley of SNY TV reports (video link).
Harris’ name has been bandied about on the rumor mill for quite awhile and The Athletic reported last month that the Sixers were gauging interest in the veteran forward. It appears that the Knicks had some interest and could continue to look at Harris, depending upon how the next few weeks play out.
Harris had eight points, six rebounds and two assists in Philadelphia’s 119-112 win over the Knicks on Sunday as New York lost its third straight after an eight-game winning streak.
“The Knicks, at least internally, talked about the idea of acquiring Tobias Harris via trade before their winning streak started,” Begley said. “… Tom Thibodeau spoke highly of Harris before the game. That’s just one name to keep an eye on.”
With the Sixers’ addition of James Harden and the emergence of Tyrese Maxey last season, Harris’ numbers dropped somewhat last season. He averaged 17.2 points per game, compared to 19.5 PPG the previous season. This season, Harris is averaging 17.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
Harris is highly respected around the league for his professionalism, but his salary makes him difficult to trade. He’s making $37.6MM this season and $39.3MM in 2023/24, the final year of his contract.
“I know that he does have some fans in the organization,” Begley said. “He’s making a lot of money. It would be a big trade to pull off salary-wise but it’s at least something the Knicks kicked around internally prior to this winning streak.”
Philadelphia, naturally, has championship aspirations, so it’s difficult to gauge what it would hope to get for Harris and still remain in the hunt for an Eastern Conference title. The Knicks would love to move Evan Fournier, who’s making $18MM in the second year of a four-year contract that includes a team option in the final year.
Derrick Rose, also out of the Knicks’ rotation, is earning $14.5MM this season with a team option on next year’s salary. Cam Reddish has an expiring $5.9MM deal. But the Sixers would also likely want a younger, cheaper player who could take Harris’ spot, such as Obi Toppin ($5.3MM), to help them this season. Toppin is currently sidelined by a leg injury.
Harden is reportedly considering a reunion with the Rockets in free agency next summer.
So 4 players for Tobias. And the Sixers cut who? Knicks would have to take back Furkan, Springer, and House.
From a cap saving standpoint yes I think they would do that.
But all of these dudes are shooting terribly this year and are so so defenders which is the opposite of what the Sixers need.
They should seriously consider it.
Those options are for a direct trade off course. A third team could also be involved. Either directly or via a secondary trade.
Also Paul Reed (and Milton) could be included in a trade.
Rose has a team option so practically an expiring contract. Fournier still has 18 million next year so has negative value.
They should only do the trade if they can get rid of Fournier afterwards I think. If they can get Eric Gordon for Fournier and a first, that would be great.
If they dealt Tobias it was because they’d get 2 players in return, one that can start and one off the bench. So.a 3rd or 4th team would need to be involved and idk if the Sixers are willing to give up any assets.
I mean if the Knicks were intent on moving Randle, replacing him with Tobias doesn’t make a lot of sense, hes costlier, albeit a shorter contract.
I always said Tobias is a great teammate and probably slides right into any team but he’s vastly overpaid. Easily 7-11 million of his annual salary is because he’s likeable.
Dont see why the Sixers would want anything from the Knick’s apart from RJ Barrett and maybe Julius Randle. Can’t see why the knicks would want Tobias with Randle and Toppin, so you’d have to assume it was going to be Tobias for Julius plus bits and pieces.
Not sure how I’d feel about it. Randle isn’t really a catch and shoot guy, he’s not really a defensive guy, he’s just another ball dominant stats guy who can also have his own issues with ego and that.
Kinda glad we have stayed away from that. Tobias has adjusted really well to a reduced role. He’s developed into a decent catch and shoot guy, third/fourth option and he’s a good teammate in the locker room.
The only issue with him is his huge contract but he does his part and is faultless as a player and person so I wouldn’t be in a rush to move him.
The idea I wouldn’t mind is Harrison Barnes. Think he’s a better fit as the SF and Tucker the PF and both can switch depending on the match up. Barnes offers some better defence, a good catch and shoot guy, gives you relatively the same points, rebounds and assists. Has won titles in a reduced role but capable of stepping up when required.
In order to get that deal done you’d like have to include Richaun Holmes and Montez Harrell. Which again I don’t mind, as he can be flipped in another deal or used as a back up.
Sixers do it to free up future cap space. Exp is Harden walks this off-season.
Embiid can hand pick his teammates this off-season.
Why?
Not the player the Knicks should be focusing on, unless they have another move set up. Can’t see Philly moving him for scraps, either. I’m sure they’d love to move his contract, but not for equal salary that is going to produce junk numbers.
Unless the Knicks attached a couple picks with that package i see no reason why the Sixers would want any of that.
Another click bait story. Teams in the same division don’t do deals like this unless one is doing a complete rebuild.
Heck No! The last thing the knicks need is an outrageously overpaid player who disappears during games more than he impacts games. Just because the Media failed to see Philly’s big mistake 4 years or so ago was not keeping the clutch Butler and overpaying for Harris doesn’t mean it wasn’t a colossal mistake. I think Philly would have already won the cup if Jimmy was still there.
Makes zero sense for the Knucks…filler.
Tobias is from NYC. So I’m good with it.
Gotta take Fournier, for sure.
Fournier, Cam, Rose, Two #1 picks.
If the Sixers clgot 2 firsts it would be a done deal. Esp with the salary relief.
I hate getting rid of Cam though. Cam would shine in Philly and show all the doubters he’s a bucket. Tobias would start at sf putting RJ at sg which I like, Brunson at the point and Mitch with Randle.
Our second unit would be McBride, Grimes, Obi Hartenstein and Sims. Obi would backup both the pf and sf positions and play 28 mpg to be effective.
I like Tobias Harris who is actually from Long Island NY not NYC. But to give two first round picks for him and that albatross of a contract what are you smoking bro. Save the picks for a legit All Star not for a guy who would be a third or fourth scorer on this Knicks team.
Anyone from this area close to city. Plays ball in NYC. You play ball in Queens, Bklyn all over nyc really. So if you really play ball. Which Tobias did. You are from NYC.
Brookville (his HS) is not far from Queens. Anyone from here grew up a Nets or Knicks fan.
It’s almost certainly BS, hope so, at least in terms of Harris being a Knick target of any kind. I’m sure (like all FO’s) the Knick FO has internally discussed every available player, including Harris, it’s called their job. If it went much beyond that, then it’s time to look for someone else to do their job.
If Embiid ever wants to win a championship, he will need to follow Hardin out the door. To have a talent like that and fail to surround with the right pieces ism criminal.
Tobias and that contract equal death to anyone who acquires them. Of course the Sixers are putting his name out there. What a horrible contract.
No matter what the Sixers or Knicks do, they stand zero of beating the Celtics or Bucks or even the Nets.
Give the Knicks two more seasons and they will be top three in the East.