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Orlando Magic Free Agency: Tobias Harris to seek near max contract

By Brett David Roberts

Dec 6, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) attempts to dribble past Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) in the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Magic defeated the Kings 105-96. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings forward Rudy Gay (8) attempts to dribble past Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) in the third quarter at Sleep Train Arena. The Magic defeated the Kings 105-96. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tobias Harris is said to be seeking nearly a max contract and both the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons may be ready to give it to him.

The Orlando Magic selected Mario Hezonja No. 5 overall in the 2015 draft, and his upside and talents could render Tobias Harris obsolete. Due to that, the Magic find themselves in a luxurious position not needing to retain his services necessarily.

There is the element of having a proven talent at small forward, but the reality is Harris has a skill set and talent that is easily replaced at the wing. He is not a lights-out shooter, which is what Orlando needs.

Harris worked on his triple and he’s good from the corners, but Hezonja can shoot from all over with deeper range. Truly, he’s just a better fit.

And that may be what it boils down to: Harris is not really the best fit for Orlando.

Harris’ 17 points per game are easily replaceable, whether it be Hezonja alone (eventually) or an increase in production from Victor Oladipo and Nikola Vucevic.

Harris can get buckets, but his defensive shortcomings are too glaring for a team that finished No. 24 in defensive rating last year and for a that often saw opposing frontcourts eat them alive. He is also relatively inefficient, which in today’s NBA can be a death sentence with many GMs focusing on analytics that were once irrelevant, or even non-existent.

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    • Harris is said to be a tweener, but he is not much of one — at least defensively. He was given probably the best matchup assignment for his defensive skills in Rudy Gay when the Magic faced the Kings on Mar. 6 — and Gay lit him up for 39 points. Gay is a pure scorer, but the fact Harris cannot even control a player whose talents are so similar is not a good sign. Harris had 19 that game, on 6-of-15 shooting.

    At one point, the comparison was made to a “poor man’s Carmelo Anthony,” and that is deadly accurate. Much like Anthony, he can be a black hole offensively and is not a good defender, often due to lack of intensity.

    And that is why he is entirely expendable.

    Anthony has never driven a team close to a ring, and using that model it is safe to assume that the Magic could fall into a similar trap if he were locked in long-term as a top-three offensive option. He thinks of himself highly enough not to accept a role to the bench most likely, and if he is in line for max money, it is easy to understand why.

    Signing Harris and capitalizing on what could be a bargain remains the best argument for retaining him.

    But the Magic would need to know what his value is to other teams, and right now the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics are reportedly leading the chase for Harris. The Knicks are also said to be interested.

    If Orlando thought it could receive valuable assets for Harris, a sign and trade could be in play. But at this point, his desire for max money really just puts a black cloud over his future. He has developed well in Orlando, but he may make his next steps on another franchise.

    Even if Harris does improve incrementally and makes an All-Star team, it would not really indicate the Magic made the wrong move. Players can make All-Star teams with minimal defense, and playing in the All-Star Game is far from the full indicator of a player’s worth.

    For now, the Magic will focus on what is here, and that is Mario Hezonja.

    Harris is in limbo, and the Magic are now in a position to sit and wait.

    Next: Magic get their guy in Mario Hezonja