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2019 NBA free agency: Ranking Tobias Harris’ best potential landing spots

By Daniel Lubofsky

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 08: Tobias Harris #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets at the Wells Fargo Center on February 8, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Nuggets 117-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 08: Tobias Harris #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets at the Wells Fargo Center on February 8, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Nuggets 117-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

2. Indiana Pacers

Following the trade of franchise star Paul George, the Indiana Pacers have done a surprising job at remaining afloat in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. A majority of this success can be attributed to the breakout rise of Victor Oladipo, but there’s plenty of thanks to go around for a roster where everyone seems to contribute.

That team-effort was on full display last season, where after Oladipo went down with a season-ending injury, the Pacers looked dead in the water. Instead, they posted a respectable record of 16-19 on the backbone of a defense ranked third in efficiency and wound up occupying the fifth seed in the postseason.

Where Indiana struggled even with Oladipo present was at the offensive end. The team ranked 22nd in points per game and just 17th during Dipo’s first All-Star campaign. Bojan Bogdanovic averaged a career-best 18.0 points a game this past season and Myles Turner brings a diverse arsenal to the offense. By and large, this is still not a team that strikes fear into defenses at that end of the floor.

Having put up arguably the best offensive numbers of his career this past year, Harris could certainly help remedy some of those offensive woes. The Pacers ranked second-to-last in 3-point attempts but fifth in percentage. They moved the ball around with the ninth-most assists per game and generated open looks. Replace Thaddeus Young — who took less than two shots from beyond the arc — with a volume shooter like Harris and it’s bound to make a positive difference.

For as nice a fit as Harris would be with Indiana, the front office may have already set sail for a different path with the draft-day acquisition of T.J. Warren. A 6’8” combo forward who shot a career-high 42.8 percent from beyond the arc, Warren should fit nicely in that power forward slot on a far cheaper contract than what Harris would command.

Speaking of money, the Pacers fall roughly $5 million short of a max contract slot. Roster altercations could be made or Harris could simply sign for less than the maximum value. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to note if the two sides attempt to negotiate a deal this summer.

Even with Warren and young stud Domantas Sabonis, the Pacers would still give Harris a sizable load offensively that would allow him to maintain his preferred level of production. Top to bottom, the East is still far behind its Western counterpart, which would help the Pacers in their inevitable playoff push while helping Harris make a legitimate All-Star case on a winning team.

It wouldn’t be the sexiest of choices for Harris, but Indiana isn’t looking toward the future. For better or worse, the Pacers are looking to compete as early as next season. With Harris in the fold, it would at the very least be interesting to see how far they could go.