NBA Rumors: Sixers Need To Lock Overlooked Guard Before Free Agency

For the Philadelphia 76ers, worrying about upcoming free agents can wait. Jimmy Butler is the player that most are expecting to walk but there could be another one as well in Tobias Harris. Like Butler, Harris is also bound for NBA free agency, and several teams are expected to go after him.

The 26-year-old Harris was acquired by the Sixers in that trade involving the Los Angeles Clippers before the February trade deadline. That multiplayer trade saw Harris head to the Philly camp together with Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanović and Mike Scott. In return, the Clips got Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala and Landry Shamet plus a protected 2020 first-round pick, NBA.com reported.

The coming of Harris was seen as a means to appease Butler to add more veterans to the playing core. While the acquisition of both is initially seen as short-term, the Sixers are expected to try and keep them moving forward, NBC Sports reported.

While Harris is considered a borderline All-Star level player, there is no question that he can be of big help to any team, any day. He averages 20 points per game and owns a 39.7-percent shooting clip from the three-point region. Aside from his offense, he is also good for 7.9 rebounds this season.

And though they are busy with the ongoing NBA playoffs, Elton Brand and company should be wary of the summer. According to The Athletic, teams such as Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets are expected to try to make a pitch to the 19th overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft and Harris could give in if the situation is too hard to resist. Playing time and the opportunity to play for a team holding big chances at the NBA title could sway him to consider a move.

Aside from those, there is the financial factor expected to play a role in Harris' decision. Hence, the 76ers current run is expected to play a major factor in the decision-making process. An impressive run may convince Harris to stay put although it still depends on how much of a factor he will be. That responsibility falls on the shoulders of head coach Brett Brown - assuming he is still the Philadelphia 76ers head coach after this season. As one can see, there are plenty of things on the line for the Sixers personnel in the 2018-19 NBA playoffs.