The Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks played one of the best first-round series in NBA Playoffs history this year. It was a throwback brand of basketball being played with physicality and defense being the main themes.
In a war of attrition, it was the Knicks who were able to prevail, outlasting the 76ers in a grueling six-game series. New York will now advance to the second round to face off against the Indiana Pacers, while Philadelphia will begin a very important offseason.
The 2024 NBA offseason is what 76ers’ general manager Daryl Morey has been gearing up for. For years, moves were made by the team with an eye on this summer because Philadelphia would be able to take a swing on some big free agents.
The biggest reason the 76ers will have money to spend is that the contract of Tobias Harris is expiring. Harris signed a five-year, $180 million deal in the 2019 NBA offseason that has been a major thorn in the side of the franchise since the ink dried.
Harris has filled several different roles for the 76ers during his tenure with the franchise and has never complained. Whatever was asked of him he did to the best of his abilities despite constant trade rumors swirling.
Unfortunately for Harris, he has drawn the ire of many people for his performance in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. He averaged a paltry 9.0 points per game, as he was invisible offensively for long stretches while Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey carried the load.
Following the Game 6 loss, Harris was a topic of conversation on NBA TV. Former head coach Sam Mitchell called out his performance, as he believes the 76ers would have won the series had Harris performed at a higher level.
“To go out and play 29 minutes, only take two shots, and don’t score… If [Tobias Harris] does anything, not only Philly wins this game, they probably win this series,” Mitchell said during the telecast.
That is certainly a bold take from Mitchell, but one that many people likely share. Coming off his best game in the series, as he scored 19 points in the Game 5 overtime victory, momentum was on Harris’s side.
Alas, he was unable to make anything of it. He went scoreless in Game 6, taking only two shots as Mitchell noted. Praise should be given to Buddy Hield, who helped the 76ers get back into the game in the second half with Harris providing little impact.
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