A pair of VFLs and NBA veterans appear to be teaming up as members of the Philadelphia 76ers.
In moves that were first reported Sunday by the extraordinarily reliable Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Tobias Harris (2010-11) has agreed to a five-year, $180 million contract to remain with Philadelphia, and Josh Richardson (2011-15) is joining the Sixers from the Miami Heat.
Harris initially came to Philly via a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers in February. He averaged 18.2 points over the final 27 games of the regular season with his new team—starting all of them and playing 35.0 minutes per game—before the 76ers made a run to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. He became a free agent this summer and chose to agree to a long-term deal Sunday to remain in the City of Brotherly Love. His new deal is the richest contract in franchise history.
Harris is embarking on his ninth NBA season in 2019-20. He started all 82 regular-season games last year. He averaged a career-best 20.0 points per game during the regular season, and his 18.2 ppg with the Sixers ranked second on the team. For his career, Harris averages 15.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting .364 from 3-point range.
Richardson’s move to Philadelphia comes as the 76ers work to complete a multi-team, sign-and-trade deal with veteran swingman Jimmy Butler.
Richardson in 2019-20 enters his fifth NBA season—the previous four with Miami, which drafted him in 2015. The 26-year-old has started 154 games over the last two seasons and averages 12.1 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists during his NBA career. He also shoots at a .368 clip from 3-point range. His averages for points, rebounds and assists have improved every year as a pro.
Other SEC alums on the current Philadelphia roster include Ben Simmons (LSU) and Al Horford (Florida).
Free agency is still ongoing, but after Sunday’s movement throughout the league, the Sixers appear poised to be among the top contenders in the NBA Eastern Conference.
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