The Philadelphia 76ers are currently battling the Toronto Raptors in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Sixers are going to have a lot of questions heading into the offseason, and the answers are happening during these playoffs.
Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris are the two main players the Sixers traded for in the regular season, and both will be free agents when the season ends. Butler and Harris are both talented players, and could receive a max contract from another team, but in order to get one from the Sixers they must show their worth in these playoffs. Butler has shown his worth, carrying the Sixers to a game two win on the road in Toronto with the season on the line.
Butler had 30 points including 12 points in the final eight minutes of the game. That is Butler’s role with this team. There could be nights where he disappears, but he is the closer of this team and he delivers when the game is on the line. Harris has struggled the first two games of this series, but he is still a key part of this Sixers core. Harris gives the Sixers another dimension with his size and shooting from the outside.
Mike Scott is also a free agent, and he has shown his worth by hitting the game winning 3 point shot in game 4 against the Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the playoffs. JJ Redick is also a free agent after the season, and he has been a consistent shooter for Sixers the last two seasons. Redick took a pay cut last offseason to remain with the team, and hopefully he has that same mindset after this season.
The main question is going to be if Harris and Butler are worth the max contract, and they both are. Harris and Butler will get a max contract from another team if the Sixers do not offer one, and the Sixers gave up valuable pieces to get both of these players.
Dario Saric and Robert Covington were both key role players who got dealt in the Butler trade. Landry Shamet was a part of the Harris trade and he just broke the single season record for most 3’s by a rookie. The Sixers also gave a valuable first round pick in the Harris trade which was another key part.
Butler and Harris have the be worth the max contract because if they both walk in free agency, it is going to put the Sixers back five years in bringing back a championship to Philadelphia.
