On June 24, Beijing time, 76ers reporter Keith Pompey offered a strategy for the team, suggesting that the team make a trade with the Clippers, and the specific transaction content is as follows:
"One option for George would be a sign-and-trade with the Clippers, who don't have a first-round pick and could ask for a pack-and-pack deal. The 76ers could trade the No. 16 pick or even trade Tobias Harris. According to league sources, the Clippers have some interest in Harris, who is about to become a free agent, having previously played for the Clippers. ”
In short, it is to sign Harris back first, and then use Harris + first-round pick as a bargaining chip to trade for Clippers forward George.
It can be said that this trade plan is really likely to achieve a win-win situation, Harris comes to the Clippers to play the No. 4 position, and the small card goes to the No. 3 position, and can also get a first-round pick. Harris can re-sign a contract extension for more than 30 million, which is an affordable price, the forward has a simple style of play and does not play big names, and the Clippers have more room to operate. There are players in the lineup such as Harden, Westbrook, Leonard, Mann and other players who need to attack with the ball, and Harris can fully take on the role of the team's third and fourth leaders after his arrival, so this task can be more important for him to play to his strengths, rather than taking on more heavy responsibilities like he did during the 76ers period.
In the 23-24 season, Harris averaged 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1 steal per game in the regular season, shooting 48.7% from the field and 35.3% from three-point range. It can be said that such data can fully assume the role of the team's third and fourth leaders, and it can also allow Harris to be himself rather than the offensive core. Looking at the 23-24 season, the Celtics were able to win the championship, mainly because their third, fourth, and fifth leaders were stronger, and the Clippers could fully follow this idea of rushing to the championship.
Statistically, Harris was able to score 19.6 points per 36 minutes for more than 1,300 minutes when Embiid was not on the court, and 18.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4 assists per 36 minutes for more than 600 minutes when Maxey was not on the court. This means that teammates like Embiid and Maxey, who rely on the ball, will obviously affect Harris's play when they are on the floor. But on the Clippers team, whether it is Harden or Leonard or Westbrook, they are willing to divide their ball possession to fulfill their teammates. Harris has the opportunity to play more offensive efficiency with the Clippers, and that's something to look forward to.
Of course, in terms of personal salary, Harris's new contract is unlikely to match George's annual salary, which will require the 76ers to send another role player to match the salary. But in order to stand out in the competition in the East, the author believes that the 76ers are willing to pay some price in order to form a new lineup with Maxey, George, and Embiid as the core.
George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game in the 23-24 regular season and 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game in the playoffs. You may think that George's statistic matches the annual salary of 40 million is very high, but this is played in the Clippers lineup that lacks major generals; With Embiid as the interior and Maxey as the perimeter to contain it, George clearly has a chance to play with a higher offensive efficiency, a lineup configuration that the Clippers don't have.
The 76ers almost overturned the Raptors in 19, mainly because they thought that with Simmons and Butler, this team still lacked top small forwards; Perhaps, George is the better one, don't you think?