76ers' Tobias Harris Breaks Silence on Summer Trade Rumors

Tobias Harris is the center of attention lately.

Over the last few weeks, Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris has been the center of attention for the team as talks of a possible trade flooded the rumor mill.

Not only have several teams inquired about potentially trading for Harris, but the veteran forward’s father/agent went on record to criticize the way the Sixers have used him lately.

While agents typically act as a spokesperson for their clients, Harris wanted to clear something up on Tuesday as he spoke publicly for the first time since the Sixers’ Game 7 loss against the Boston Celtics back in the May.

“My dad, he’s my number one fan,” Harris told reporters on Tuesday, according to Dave Uram of KYW News Radio. “If you ask him who’s better, me or prime Michael Jordan, he’ll tell you me. When I’m a father, I’m gonna tell my kid he’s better than LeBron James. I’ve also told him that as a dad and agent, not to speak for me when it comes to the media because obviously, he has his viewpoint on that, but that’s not the way I feel.”

Speaking to Michael Barr of the Business of Sports Podcast, Torrel Harris mentioned that his son and client was “not a priority” in the Sixers’ offense this past season and accused the team’s coaching staff of not utilizing him correctly. 

Harris, who was often the fourth option behind Joel Embiid, James Harden, and Tyrese Maxey, had his lowest-scoring season in a Sixers uniform during the 2022-2023 run. However, the sharpshooting forward made it clear that he understood a tweaked role was necessary going into last year’s run.

“I knew going into last year what my role was — that I was going to be the fourth option offensively — so I knew that going in and Doc wanted me to be the guy on the team that was a stable piece to sacrifice it and be able to do other things on the floor,” Tobias Harris continued. “So, that was why I was guarding the other team’s best players, being able to adapt and change my game and be more of a catch-and-shoot, just play that type of basketball. I was okay with that role. I never complained about it at the end of the day.”

Although Harris seems content with sticking around, he’ll still have to spend another stretch hearing his name in trade rumors as the offseason progresses. Going into the 2023 NBA Draft, Harris was linked to the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and Cleveland Cavaliers. After the draft, three more teams popped up as the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and Utah Jazz reportedly reached out to check on the availability of the 30-year-old forward. 

No stranger to hearing his name in rumors, Harris brushes off the speculation once again.

“Casual Sixers fans, they’ll trade me for a Crumbl Cookie,” Harris said. “At the end of the day, have to realize you’re not getting a 6’9” forward back who can damn near shoot 40 percent from three, guard the other team’s best player, shoot close up, drive, play 70-plus games a year. For me, I thought our team had a great… We had a disappointing end to the season, but we were close enough. I believe we have the right talent to be a championship team and we have the right pieces and the right culture with a new coach. I’m excited for what we can bring to the table.”

Describing himself as “excited” to return to the Sixers for the 2023-2024 season, it doesn’t sound like Harris is anticipating a change of scenery anytime soon. Of course, a lot can change when teams begin shaking up their rosters throughout free agency, but striking a Harris trade is not the priority for the Sixers that many fans hope for at this point in the offseason. Unless the Sixers truly get better in a deal for Harris, it doesn’t make much sense to move him at this time.