2 Ex-Sixers Will Headline Big 3 Battle on Sunday

Howard joined the Big 3 after playing for the Taoyuan Leopards. Although he hoped to get back in the NBA for another run, Howard’s promotional efforts on social media didn’t land him an opportunity.

During the 2020-2021 NBA season, Howard joined the Sixers for the first and only time in his career. At the time, he was coming off a championship run with the Los Angeles Lakers. While he hoped to return to LA following the 2020 NBA bubble, contract discussions fell through, leading Howard to the Sixers.

While in Philly, Howard appeared in 69 regular-season games. He saw the court for an average of 17 minutes, posting averages of seven points and eight rebounds. He appeared in 12 playoff games, averaging five points and six rebounds,

The run with the Sixers ended up being Howard’s final playoff run in the NBA. He played one more season with the Lakers in 2021-2022. That would be his last 60-game stretch in the league. Howard has over 1,200 NBA games under his belt.

During his most notable years with the Orlando Magic, Howard established himself as one of the most dominant players in the game. He brings a lot of star power to the Big 3, as he’s an eight-time All-Star, eight-time All-NBA recipient, and a three-time Defensive Player of the Year.

Montrezl Harrell had the more recent run with the Sixers between the two bigs. The former second-round pick spent the 2022-2023 NBA season with the Sixers after runs with the Washington Wizards and the Charlotte Hornets.

Harrell signed a two-year deal with the Sixers, with his second season being a player option. He appeared in 57 games, averaging six points and three rebounds. Throughout his only stretch with the Sixers, Harrell battled with Philadelphia’s former second-round pick, Paul Reed, for the steady backup minutes.

After one season with the Sixers, Harrell declined his player option, but would re-sign for one year under different terms. Unfortunately, an offseason ACL injury sidelined him for the entire year.

Harrell wouldn’t return to the NBA. He signed in the NBL last season. The former Sixer also spent time in China and Puerto Rico. After his run with the Big 3 in the USA, Harrell is expected to be a part of the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL for the upcoming season.