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Rumors: New York Knicks eyeing Tobias Harris

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 20, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Orlando Magic small forward Tobias Harris (12) shoots over New York Knicks point guard Raymond Felton (2) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Orlando Magic small forward Tobias Harris (12) shoots over New York Knicks point guard Raymond Felton (2) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Knicks are eyeing the Orlando Magic’s Tobias Harris in the latest free agent rumors. Is that threat real or just media creation?

With the Orlando Magic back in New York on Friday, the New York media got their hands on Tobias Harris. And much like the first trip to the Big Apple, the Knicks media was able to stir the pot.

But when there is smoke, there is fire, I guess.

Marc Berman of the New York Post, citing a source close to Harris, reports Harris dreams of winning a title for his hometown Knicks. And, Berman adds, the Knicks are strongly considering going after Harris in free agency.

Harris though has kept to the same line he has always had about his upcoming restricted free agency — his focus is on playing for the Magic and he will worry about free agency in July:

"I don’t think about it too much. I’m trying to play basketball, worry about the present with Orlando. That’s my mind-set. After the season, when that time comes, we’ll be able to discuss that and go from there."

Harris has also repeatedly said he would love to stay in Orlando. Those public statements are not going to change.

The news that the Knicks are seriously coming after Harris in free agency? That is not quite old news either. The New York media has drummed up that speculation. But where there is smoke, there is usually fire.

Harris did struggle in his return to New York. He scored nine points on 4-for-14 shooting. It was just his second game back from an ankle injury. But Harris seemed like he was forcing things in the limelight. Then again, the Magic were kind of a mess offensively despite Nikola Vucevic‘s big game.

His first game in New York this year saw him score 12 points on 4-for-11 shooting. So maybe he really does not like Madison Square Garden.

That could very realistically be his home.

There are important things to remember about Harris and his free agency.

First, Harris is a restricted free agent. This means the Magic have the right to match any offer.

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    • As many teams do in this situation, Orlando seems willing to wait things out and see what kind of offer Harris will get. The team will only trade him if the team feels like he will bring in an offer Orlando is unwilling to match. It is still hard to get a good grasp on how the Magic value Harris and what Harris will get on the open market.

    The second is that restricted free agency and the Magic’s willingness to match means any team that wants to acquire Harris is going to have to put together an offer sheet the Magic will not match. That means backloading a deal or putting together a crazy expensive offer to thwart the Magic’s willingness to match.

    Third, the Knicks do have that kind of money. Phil Jackson has slowly cleared his team’s cap and has given the Knicks somewhere in the area of $32 million of projected cap room for next year. They are expected to go after big-name free agents like Marc Gasol (especially) and LaMarcus Aldridge.

    If they do not get them, second-tier guys like Harris could be their targets. Even a guy like Kyle O’Quinn might be on their radar.

    It is really hard to tell what strategy Jackson would use. Harris is still largely a one-dimensional player whose only contribution is scoring (inefficiently at times). His defense has improved, as has his 3-point shooting, but Harris is most effective with the ball in his hands.

    It is still hard to figure out what his value would be.

    The suitors might not even line up, fearing the Magic’s ability to match. Like Greg Monroe, Harris might end up signing his qualifying offer and playing one final year in Orlando before hitting unrestricted free agency.

    Next: The Magic's defense continued to struggle in a loss to the Knicks