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Detroit Pistons: Should Tobias Harris Get A Max Offer?

By Michael Manning

Mar 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) reacts after hitting a thee point shot during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated Boston Celtics 103-98. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) reacts after hitting a thee point shot during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated Boston Celtics 103-98. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Real GM recently reported the the Detroit Pistons will pursue restricted free agent Tobias Harris, who averaged 17 points and six rebounds per game with the Orlando Magic last season and will likely command a max or near max deal in free agency. Harris would certainly fill the Pistons’ need for a go-to scorer but is he worth a max deal?

On offense, Harris is one of the best in the business, averaging 17.1 points on 46 percent shooting last year. He was one of four players in the league to average 17 points and six rebounds. The others? Chris Bosh, Kevin Durant and LeBron James, each an All Star in 2014-15. Harris was extremely efficient on a team whose offense ranked just 27th in efficiency.

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His 55 percent true shooting rate was second on the Magic and would have been fourth on last season’s Pistons. Harris’ scoring efficiency would be a welcome addition to the Pistons as his per game scoring roughly equaled that of the Pistons’ leading scorer, Reggie Jackson, but at a more efficient rate.

Should the Pistons sign Harris, he could transition to the Pistons offense seamlessly. He would be the go to wing scorer that the Pistons have lacked since Richard Hamilton‘s departure in 2011. Harris also spent 28 percent of his minutes at power forward last season with the Magic.

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It would not be surprising to see Stan Van Gundy to use Harris as a power forward next to Andre Drummond.

Harris has developed a reputation as a poor defender and has the lackluster defensive stats to back up that reputation, averaging just 0.5 block and 0.7 steal per game during the 2014-15 season.

Harris’ contributions on defense, however, may not be captured by those numbers as he was one of the main contributors to the Magic’s defense placing fourth on the team in defensive win shares. One explanation for Harris’ reputation as a sub-par defender may the lack of rim protection that Magic center Nikola Vucevic provided, as Vucevic averaged just 0.8 blocks per game in 2014-15.

Playing next to  a defensive dynamo in Drummond would definitely change Harris’ defensive reputation for the better.

Tobias Harris should be considered a max level player by the Pistons.  Harris would fill the Pistons need of an efficient scorer and a go-to guy on the wing. Harris is just 22 years old and should continue to improve his game because of his excellent work ethic. Down the road Harris’ deal will look like a bargain in light of the NBA’s rising cap.

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