Dairyland Express
Fansided

Milwaukee Bucks: How Tobias Harris trade impacts them

By Brian Sampson

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 17: Tobias Harris #34 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during the second half of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on December 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 17: Tobias Harris #34 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during the second half of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on December 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Milwaukee Bucks saw the Philadelphia 76ers upgrade their team on Tuesday night by acquiring Tobias Harris from the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Milwaukee Bucks hold the best record in the Eastern Conference at 39-13. They are 1.5 games ahead of the Toronto Raptors, five games ahead of the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers and six games ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers. However, Philadelphia may be storming up in the standings.

The 76ers agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night that will net them borderline All-Star forward and former Bucks Tobias Harris. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN broke the news late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning:

In addition to Harris, the 76ers also acquired forward Mike Scott and center Boban Marjanovic in the deal. However, Philadelphia gave up quite a bit including Landry Shamet, Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala and four total draft picks (a 2020 first-rounder, 2021 first from the Miami Heat and two second rounders).

Wojnarowski continued his reporting by stating Philadelphia hopes to keep the Big-Four of Harris, Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Jimmy Butler together long term despite the potential cap implications their increased salaries will carry. Harris will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season as will Butler.

The move immediately makes the 76ers better at the top of their roster and gives them the star power to compete with the Bucks. Harris is a good fit with the 76ers and helps provide them with extra spacing they’ve lacked so far. His 43.4 percent three-point shooting this season is a career-best.

Harris will likely give the 76ers a lineup that consists of Simmons-JJ Reddick-Butler-Harris-Embiid as one that can close games for them. On paper, this is a very dangerous 5-man group and one that could give the Bucks troubles.

However, the 76ers have very little depth remaining and that could be an issue down the stretch. Can those five guys hold up playing high minutes in a seven-game playoff series? Also, Butler, Embiid and Simmons have a long injury history and the team is one injury away from being in serious trouble. They are expected to active in the buyout market once again, but we’ll see which type of usable players they can attract.

Bucks: 3 reasons to stand pat at the trade deadline. dark. Next

The Bucks should still be favorites in the East, but this might push them to make a smaller deal in order to compete and stay ahead of the pack. This move was almost certainly made in order to catch the Bucks and put the 76ers in a favorable position come playoff time. Only time will tell how this move pans out for Philadelphia.

Home/Milwaukee Bucks