2016 Outlook
Tobias Harris is going to get paid. A 23-year-old forward who can score at a consistent rate of 17 points per game is pretty valuable. Only four players in the NBA scored at least 17 points per game at 23 years old or younger — Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Tobias Harris and Victor Oladipo.
The Magic are going to have to carefully assess where Harris fits into their future and their plans before putting pen to paper. They were not willing to do so before the season started and the breakdown of his last season shows a player that still does not seem to have a set value.
Or maybe he does, and the Magic are not quite willing to pay it.
The whole summer for Harris and the Magic are really a determination of where the Magic see him fitting into their future.
The Sixer Sense
Can he be a franchise-type player? Is he a first or second option for the team? Can he be a plus defender and more than a ball stopper on offense? Can he provide a secondary skill to match his scoring? Can he become a better 3-point shooter?
Harris showed potential at answering all these questions, but did not answer them definitively. It is still somewhat hard to figure out what his preferred role should be.
His willingness to come off the bench at this point is non-existent. He was significantly worse when he was not starting, even if he still played starter minutes. So his role seems still very much up in the air.
The Magic may not have gotten any clear answers. So it seems they will wait for the market to set itself before making a decision. If they do match, it shows they believe Harris is a big part of their future plans. Or at least good enough not to allow to walk for free.
Next: Final Grade