Report: Sixers Sign Al Horford, Acquire Josh Richardson In Sign-And-Trade That Sends Jimmy Butler To Heat
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Tobias Harris was just the beginning. The Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night reportedly signed free agent Al Horford and acquired Josh Richardson in a sign-and-trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Miami Heat.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Sixers agreed to a four-year, $109 million contract with Horford, a five-time All-Star. Horford is a 6-foot-10 big with shooting range who will start at power forward and back up Joel Embiid at center.
Horford's contract includes $97 million guaranteed with $12 million in bonuses depending on championships, according to Wojnarowski. The deal will not become official until July 6.
The 33-year-old Horford averaged 13.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 4.2 assists and shot 36% from three-point range in 68 games last season with the Boston Celtics. In three seasons with Boston, Horford averaged 13.5 points, 7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 2.7 assists.
Many will recall Horford as a thorn in the Sixers' side over the past two seasons. The Sixers are 3-10 in their last 13 games, counting the postseason, against the Celtics with Horford on the court. Embiid was held under 20 points three times and averaged 23.6 points – down from 25.2 – during that span.
While the Sixers re-signed Harris and added Horford, they did lose Butler to free agency.
Per The Athletic's Shams Charania, Butler agreed to a four-year, $142 million max contract with the Heat in a sign-and-trade with the Sixers.
The Sixers will acquire guard Josh Richardson from the Heat, according to Charania.
Richardson, 25, averaged 16.6 points and shot 35.7% from beyond the arc last season with the Heat. He was a 2015 second-round pick out of Tennessee.
How Sixers head coach Brett Brown assembles his starting five remains to be seen but at the moment it will likely be Ben Simmons, Richardson, Harris, Horford and Embiid. That could change if GM Elton Brand adds another guard into the mix.
Brand said the Sixers' draft strategy would "make sense soon" after a rather disappointing NBA draft. On Sunday night, the pieces all came together.
There also could be more to come too. Stay tuned.
