The Orlando Magic Jumped Too Quick On Tobias Harris Trade
By Josh Eberley
The Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons have shattered the silence.
Sources: Detroit Pistons have discussed a deal to acquire Tobias Harris from the Orlando Magic for Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) February 16, 2016
Not even one year after inking Tobias Harris to a four-year, $64 million deal, the jig is up. The Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons have started the 2016 NBA trade deadline festivities in a fascinating fashion. Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova will head south while Harris will head north to Motown.
A bit of irony, as the Magic made a move to advance their franchise but have likely stalled their rise. Harris offered the Magic versatility at either forward spot, was only 23 years old, and had just signed a generous four-year deal.
Biggest mistake teams can make this week is to shed cap friendly contracts with years to take on an expiring contract. Do not rely on July.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 15, 2016
Bobby Marks is right, the cap is going up, a player with the skill set of Tobias Harris going forward will only demand more money. The Magic traded a player with long-term potential for expiring contracts. We’ll see what happens, but at the moment the Magic are 11th in the conference and far from a lock to reach the playoffs. I’m pessimistic about this trade helping that outcome and I’m not alone.
Liked the move by Detroit to snare Tobias Harris for 2 expirings. He's a gamer. Weird move by Orlando unless a 2nd one is coming.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 16, 2016
Here’s the snag, the real tough sell for Orlando is to their fan base. Even if you didn’t like the fit of Harris or were looking to shake things up, the rotation was already tight. No one would’ve or could’ve blamed the Magic for parting with Harris if a star was coming back, but the reality is their haul for Harris nabbed no such player.
In fact, now the Magic have added two more rotation players to a rotation that is already chalked full. The Magic were already lacking minutes for their young players such as Mario Hezonja and the should’ve been dunk champion Aaron Gordon. Gordon, Andrew Nicholson, Jason Smith, Channing Frye, and Ersan Ilyasova make for a blurry mix at the power-forward position going forward.
Aaron Gordon ladies and gentleman.. It's not over https://t.co/1M2r7RjkWi
— Josh Eberley 🇨🇦 (@JoshEberley) February 14, 2016
At point guard, Jennings brings some scoring and fast paced offense, but does he complement Victor Oladipo or Elfrid Payton well? If the Magic bury their new additions and continue to play their youngsters, why move Harris in the first place? The Magic are sitting on a farm and they brought their first pig to market with a less than desirable return.
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Harris is averaging 15.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and has a .548 TS% over the last three seasons with the Magic. The production is replaceable but where it’ll come from is a mystery at the moment. We know that coach Scott Skiles isn’t afraid to shake up the rotation and the Magic are now deeper than ever. Like Bill Simmons, I don’t think this is the last will see from the Magic this deadline.