According to NBA insider James L. Edwards III of The Athletic, the Detroit Pistons are still interested in trading for Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris.
If the Pistons don’t trade for Harris by the NBA trade deadline on February 8, they will pursue him this offseason in free agency when the veteran becomes an unrestricted free agent.
“Per league sources, the Pistons remain interested in the sharpshooting forward who played in Detroit from 2016-18,” Edwards III wrote. “While a move before the deadline for Harris wouldn’t surprise me, the feeling I’ve gotten is that the Pistons are more likely to go after Harris in the summer using cap space. Detroit appears to be on the fence about giving up any type of asset for a player it could simply sign this summer.
“Harris has personal connections to Detroit and relationships with several in the front office and coaching staff. Depending on Philadelphia’s asking price for Harris, it might make more sense for the Pistons to just sit it out until this summer.”
Harris played 157 games for the Pistons before getting traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in the blockbuster Blake Griffin trade in 2017-18. The forward averaged 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists with Detroit.
Even though the Pistons have the worst record in the NBA this season, the front office could be buyers at the NBA trade deadline. Along with Harris, Detroit has been linked to Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges, Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine and Atlanta Hawks Dejounte Murray.
Harris, 31, is averaging 17.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists this season while shooting 51.2% from the field, 34.4% from beyond the arc and 90.2% from the free-throw line. He’s making $39.3 million in the final year of his contract.
A New York native, Harris has career averages of 16.3 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He’s played for the Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, Pistons, Clippers and Sixers.
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