To win an NBA championship, you typically need an elite player. We’ve seen exceptions to that rule. Once in a while, a team wins a title on the strength of their depth and system. For the most part, those teams are vanquished by an MVP candidate.
By that logic, the Philadelphia 76ers are in good shape. They don’t just have an MVP candidate – they’ve got the last MVP winner. Joel Embiid is a leading man by any measure.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey has emerged as an outstanding second option. The Los Angeles Lakers, in theory, should also be contending.
LeBron James isn’t quite his former self, but he’s not far off – and we know he can hit an extra gear in the playoffs. With that said, the Lakers haven’t quite looked like title contenders this year.
Could they make a move for the Sixers’ Tobias Harris?
NBA Trade Proposal: Los Angeles Lakers Land Philadelphia 76ers’ Tobias Harris
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G D’Angelo Russell, F Rui Hachimura
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Tobias Harris
Meanwhile, elite players want to win NBA championships. Those are legacy-defining moments. When an elite player retires without winning an NBA title, it’s a talking point about them for the rest of time.
Karl Malone. Charles Barkley. Dominique Wilkins. Vince Carter. These were all fantastic NBA players who will all be remembered for their on-court brilliance. They’re also widely held to be some of the best players ever to win an NBA title.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Embiid is hoping to avoid that fate. Luckily, James has long avoided it. He’s won multiple NBA titles. For James, the goal is to win another to strengthen his case as the greatest player of all time.
Could teaming up with Harris help?
Why The Los Angeles Lakers Do The Deal
Harris is the best player in this deal. In some respects, that justifies this deal on its own. At the same time, the Lakers also need players who fit with the rest of their roster.
Harris should be a perfect fit. He’s got plenty of experience as a third option. Harris is built for that role. He’s a knockdown shooter who can provide some defensive resistance as well.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
Meanwhile, the Lakers can spare these players. Harris is a direct upgrade over Hachimura. Losing Russell’s playmaking hurts, but with James on the roster, it’s worth the trade-off. Is this deal worth the Sixers’ time?
Why The Philadelphia 76ers Do The Deal
The Sixers have a two-pronged approach here. They’re hoping that it can make them better in 2023-24. It might – the Sixers are flipping the best player in this deal to bolster their depth.
Moreover, they could use Russell’s distribution chops. Maxey has become a fantastic lead guard, but he’s more of a scorer. Having a passer like Russell in the backcourt may diversify this team’s offense.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tobias Harris, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers Updates
With that said the Sixers are also kicking the can here. They’re moving Harris’ large, expiring deal for two smaller deals that will be easier to move. That could help them use the assets they landed in the James Harden deal to trade for a star next summer. After all, you need stars to win NBA titles.
