In their latest offseason move, the Detroit Pistons have signed free agent Tobias Harris to a two-year, $52 million deal. Harris is a six-foot-eight forward with lots of NBA experience, can knock down threes, and defend several positions. Let’s break down the move and why it makes sense for the Pistons.
Pistons Sign Veteran Wing From 76ers
This was a good pickup for Detroit. The Pistons lack wings, with many of their young core comprising guards. Their starting point guard is Cade Cunningham, and they also have Jaden Ivey, Marcus Sasser, and Malachi Flynn on their roster. The team is a little light in the small/power forward department, with Ausar Thompson, Jalen Duren, and Isaiah Stewart as the only notables. Harris can play good minutes for the Pistons and help the team improve overall.
One of the areas where Harris will be the most beneficial is his shooting. The Pistons are a team known for their lack of three-point shooting. They don’t have anyone on the roster who is a serious three-point threat, and their latest draft pick, Ron Holland, doesn’t fill that role either. On the other hand, Harris shoots about four threes per game and knocks down over 35% of them. 35% is the league average for the NBA, and Harris always hovers a little over that mark. His spacing will be beneficial for the young Pistons. Something else that will be extremely helpful is hiring assistant coach Fred Vinson. Vinson is a shooting coach, and he’s known as the man who helped remake Lonzo Ball‘s jump shot. With luck, the entire team will improve their shooting under his tutelage.
Aside from shooting, however, Harris will be incredibly important for the team’s culture and development. He is 31 years old and a veteran in the NBA. He’s played for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Clippers when both teams were playoff contenders, meaning he’s been in high-pressure moments. Harris can mentor the Pistons core, help teach the young Holland about the NBA, and be an overall positive presence for a team with the worst record in the entire league last season.
Tired of Losing
This was a good signing for the Pistons. However, another good thing about the signing of Harris is his salary. The Pistons have cap space and made use of it by paying Harris a nice salary. However, he made over $30 million annually during his last four seasons with the 76ers. While people agree that Harris is an excellent NBA player, he’s not worth nearly that much money. Offering him that much money ensured the Pistons had room to make other deals and that Harris would be likely to sign with them (not having to take much of a pay cut).
This signing also shows that the Pistons are sick of being bad. By signing Harris and trading for Tim Hardaway Jr., the team is clearly trying to improve and win more games. The young core is solidified; it’s time to bring in some veterans and steer the team closer to the playoffs.
