Veteran 3-and-D wing could be a sleeper trade target for the 76ers.
Veteran 3-and-D wing might be a sleeper trade target for the 76ers
As said multiple times previously — and as substantiated by reports — the Philadelphia 76ers would like to lie low in the trade market and instead maintain flexibility ahead of this year’s free agency. This is a complete 180 from past perceptions of the front office becoming one of the mroe active camps before the deadline.
However, while one can start ruling out the 76ers making a league-altering move, the front office should remain on the hunt for role players on the cheap who can help alleviate some of the team’s roster holes — a non-negotiable considering the team’s failure to shell out a clean bill of health atop the fact that the East has gotten a lot stronger this year.
The 76ers should deal for veteran 3-and-D wing Gary Harris
One player the 76ers should look to acquire via trade is Orlando Magic wing Gary Harris, who has seen his role shrink this season for the upstart squad. He’s currently playing his lowest minutes per game since his rookie year, and there just isn’t a significant role awaiting him any longer with Orlando riding their younger guys who have showed a lot of potential during their great start to the season.
With an expiring deal this season, Harris should be very gettable as long as the Magic are suitably remunerated. Luckily, it shouldn’t take much to snag his services, as the veteran himself has seen his performance fall while nursing an ailment.
So, why would Philly even try to line up for his services amid a dismal year? Well, Harris should prosper with a change of setting as he has a skill set that doesn’t rely primarily on shooting splits to be efficient. His offense has dramatically diminished since his early days in Denver, but he has remained a tough cookie on defense, able to guard all perimeter positions.
Also, despite his drop-off as a scorer, Harris retains his value as a strong three-point shooter. While his shooting hasn’t been crisp this season, he shot 43.1 percent on big volume from downtown only last season, giving some strong precedence when he ultimately returns to the norm. Elsewhere, he has a very neat disposition with the ball as he rarely coughs the ball up, sinks free throws at a high rate, and is effective at defending without fouling.
Hopefully, Gary Harris comes back quickly from his calf injury so the Philadelphia 76ers may bid for his services. By all accounts, his price tag should be cheap, with the Orlando Magic likely agreeing to salary matchers and a second-round selection.
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