By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor
The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to a five-year deal worth $180 million with forward Tobias Harris, with no player option, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Harris penned an ESPN article, which explains why he is returning to the City of Brotherly Love:
There's nothing about my NBA journey that I would change — the teams, the cities, the teammates, the fans have all helped me grow into the player and person that I've become. Every time I moved, I saw the bright side. Always, I saw opportunity.
Still, I want to be somewhere that I can call home. Finally, I can do that now: I'm a Philadelphia 76er. …
We've got unfinished business, and I'm ready to commit to a long-term vision of bringing a title to Philadelphia.
ESPN's Bobby Marks reports the Sixers will leave the $22 million "Tobias Harris free agent hold counting against the cap before they sign the forward."
The Harris number projects to start at $31M and Philadelphia can use his hold to create cap flexibility. Philadelphia could have either $39M in room without Jimmy Butler or act as a team over the cap if Butler returns on a max contract.
This past season, Harris averaged 20.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.5 blocks per game.
Also on Sunday to kick off the NBA free agency period, the Sixers signed forward Mike Scott, and lost guard JJ Redick to the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Sixers had acquired Harris in February from the Los Angeles Clippers, along with Scott and Boban Marjanovic, in exchange for Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala, Landry Shamet and picks.