Tobias Harris: Should Magic Logjam Lead To Trade?
The Orlando Magic are in a complex situation. They are in the second phase of their rebuilding plan after acquiring an impressive group of talented young players following Dwight Howard’s departure two years ago. The problem is they are loaded at the forward position where Tobias Harris, one of the team’s best players, resides.
The Magic, who are too young and not talented enough to compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference this year, have seven forwards on their roster — Harris, Maurice Harkless, Devyn Marble, Channing Frye, Aaron Gordon, Kyle O’Quinn and Andrew Nicholson. While Harris can play both forward positions, he is best suited to play small forward.
To complicate matters even more, Harris and the team are reportedly far apart on a contract extension with the Oct. 31 deadline looming – if the sides come to an impasse then Harris will become a restricted free agent on July 1.
So, should the Magic trade the talented 6’8” 22-year-old and give Gordon, the fourth player taken in this year’s draft, and Harkless the majority of minutes at the 3-spot?
I, probably like the Magic‘s management, am conflicted. Harris is natural scorer who possesses the ball-handling skills to have the offense run through him due to his ability to create. Thus, making it very easy to see him, Victor Olidipo and Nikola Vucevic becoming one of the most dynamic scoring trios in the association for many years to come. Harris also gets to the line a lot as he drives to the bucket on a regular basis and is a good free throw shooter.
However, Harris is a decent rebounder – particularly on the offensive end – but not a great rebounder overall. Plus, he struggles shooting from beyond the arc and is limited on the defensive end.
Verdict: The Magic should take a wait-and-see approach, making a decision a few days/weeks ahead of the trade deadline – obviously this is contingent upon whether the Magic signs Harris to an extension prior to the deadline or not. The reason the Magic should wait until the deadline to pull the trigger on a trade is, they should have a more comprehensive read of where they are as a franchise at that point and who they will be able to build around — Harris maybe one of the guys they deem untouchable.
Besides, Harkless is in the same situation as Harris is — in terms of this season being a make-or-break year with the franchise.