Gilbert Arenas goes scorched earth on Tobias Harris after 76ers’ playoff exit

Tobias Harris had tough season with 76ers

2023-24 was very much a down year for Harris, who becomes a free agent this summer. Considering how much his numbers dipped, it’s hard to imagine Philly bringing him back. The 31-year-old averaged 17.2 points on 35% shooting from downtown while grabbing 6.5 rebounds and dishing out 3.1 assists.

In six playoff games versus New York, however, Harris posted averages of nine points, 7.2 boards, and 1.5 dimes. He’s supposed to be the 76ers’ third-best player yet Harris did essentially nothing in the series. He literally put up a goose egg in the series clincher in 29 minutes of action. Harris played over 36 minutes per contest.

There’s been no shortage of criticism of Harris since coming to Philly. After all, this is a guy who makes $40 million per season and he took two shots in the elimination game. To be brutally honest, it’s unacceptable.

Just how long can the 76ers stick with Harris? In the biggest game of the season, he was a no-show. When you take into consideration just how much he’s making, it’s hard to comprehend how Harris can put up some atrocious numbers at the most important time.

Former NBA coach Sam Mitchell didn’t hold back when speaking about Harris after Game 6:

“You talking about Philly losing all these games within three points. Tobias Harris played 29 minutes tonight; only took two field goals and no points. And you’re talking about a guy making $40 million. He’s supposed to be that third-best player. He’s supposed to be that guy,” Mitchell said.

Kendrick Perkins meanwhile wasn’t so nice on Friday’s First Take episode:

“Tobias Harris, let him walk,” Perkins said on Friday’s episode of First Take. “I mean, damn. He asked them if they wanted something from Chick-fil-A before the game. The team told him, ‘Yes,’ and he came back with a back full of napkins and straws. I mean, he was just a no-show.”

Daryl Morey didn’t shut down the possibility of Tobias returning, but he also made it clear that most of the free agents could land elsewhere:

“Tobias for sure can be a contributing player on a contender. In terms of back, I give the same answer I just gave— we have interest in all our free agents,” Morey said on Monday.

If Harris performed in the playoffs, there’s a good chance the 76ers would be competing against the Indiana Pacers right now instead of the Knicks. But, the reality is he didn’t, and it’ll probably result in the veteran wearing a different jersey in 2024-25.