Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma had a hilarious reaction to a report that the Philadelphia 76ers are willing to package forward Tobias Harris in any Ben Simmons trade.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Marc J. Spears reported the 76ers want to include Harris in a Simmons trade. Trading the pair of household names would certainly move the needle. However, trying to move their two mega salaries may be daunting as Kuzma pointed out.
Spears added the Atlanta Hawks had interest in a Simmons trade until the 76ers tried to include Harris.
Going for such a trade would suggest the 76ers may be targeting landing James Harden this summer, if Harden declines his player option.
Harris is a solid wing player. He is averaging 18.6 points per game. While he is shooting a subpar 29.9% from three this season, however, he is a 36.4% career shooter.
But Harris is making just under $36 million this season in the third year of a five-year, $180 million deal. He’s owed $76.9 million over the next two seasons.
Simmons has a cap hit of just over $33 million. He’s in the second year of a five-year $177.2 million deal.
Both players have trade kickers in their deals, but both are voided because Simmons and Harris have max deals.
Still trying to trade $69 million in one deal would be very difficult. Kuzma’s reaction is spot on. Unless, the 76ers were to get three or more teams involved. Then they’d have to find someone to take on Harris as the centerpiece of their return. That may be a tough find.
