Orlando Magic players react to Tobias Harris’ return
The news about Tobias Harris‘ return to the Orlando Magic has spread among the players on the roster. They all seem very happy to have their teammate back.
For the Orlando Magic, the first few days of free agency were spent kind of quietly.
Sure, they reached out to Paul Millsap and offered him a max contract, but that quickly dissipated as Millsap elected to stay in Atlanta on a deal that was for less money and for less dollars.
Orlando clearly turned its focus to dealing with Tobias Harris and ensuring he became their top free agent priority — and also to prevent his potentially lucrative offer sheet from tying up all their cap space.
Harris turned down a max offer sheet from the Sacramento Kings and potential offers from several other teams, including a few Playoff teams, to sign a four-year, $64 million deal with the Magic.
Hearing Tobias Harris received MAX offer from the Kings, strongly considered it. Appeal of staying in Orlando and a solid offer sealed deal
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) July 4, 2015
As with any free agent signing, teammates were very excited to have Harris back in the fold.
“It’s good just to have people back,” Aaron Gordon said. “If we can keep a core group of people together and keep it rolling and keep learning, the only way that we can go is up. We have to win. That’s the only thing that can come from that.”
Indeed, the Magic seemed like they were on the verge of losing Harris with the way his restricted free agency was going. It was clear he was going to make a certain amount of money in free agency. It was going to be up to the Magic to decide whether or not to pay it.
In the end, it was probably difficult to let a 22-year-old forward who averaged 17 points per game walk away. He had made such an improvement on his 3-point shot last year that he merited a closer look or at least a payday for what his future could easily be.
As much as anything, Harris’ teammates were happy to see him return to the fold:
Congrats to my guy @tobias31! Happy you're staying in the family! #PureMagic
— Nikola Vucevic (@NikolaVucevic) July 4, 2015
Congrats to the broski @tobias31. Well deserve !!!
— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) July 4, 2015
There is a lot of respect among Harris’ teammates for what he does, the work he puts in and what he can contribute to the team.
Orlando rewarded all that work by investing a ton of money in him moving forward. There is still opportunity for Harris to get better. And while the fit has not always been perfect, a return to work with Scott Skiles — when Harris is certainly a little more mature and cognizant of what life in the NBA is like after two and a half seasons in Orlando — could help Harris take the next step.
For the Magic, they are ready to watch him take that next step. And happy to have him back.
“I love Tobias,” Elfrid Payton said. “Tobias is a great scorer. He puts in a lot of work. I love guys who work hard. I’m happy for my man to be back.”