It has been a little over a year since the Philadelphia 76ers acquired Tobias Harris from the Los Angeles Clippers in a move that sent promising rookie Landry Shamet to Los Angeles. Since then, Harris has signed a 5-year $180 million max contract with the Sixers and he has been putting up some solid numbers with the Sixers.
Philadelphia acquired Harris in order to help them take the next step up the ladder in the Eastern Conference and become championship contenders, which he has been able to do so. Los Angeles made the move in order to clear cap space and go after a superstar which they did so in Kawhi Leonard while also netting Paul George in the process.
For that, Harris has no ill will towards the Clippers. It was just business.
“No disappointment, they made a move,” he said. “Obviously, the move paid for them with the talent that they got in free agency. We made a move here and it worked out for both sides so there’s no ill will.”
It wasn’t the first time Harris was traded midseason to a team. In fact, it was actually the fourth time in his career that that has happened to him. So when he takes on his former team on Tuesday for the first time since the deal, there is no extra emotion or motivation, just basketball.
“It’s going to be like going against another good team,” he said succinctly. “I’m excited for the challenge for ourselves as a group to excel and be a great team.”
Philadelphia and Los Angeles tipoff at 7:00 p.m. EST from the Wells Fargo Center. [lawrence-related id=25538,25530,25520]