NBA Rumor: Tobias Harris Free Agency
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Tobias Harris: There’s nothing about my NBA journey that I would change — the teams, the cities, the teammates, the fans have all helped me grow into the player and person that I’ve become. Every time I moved, I saw the bright side. Always, I saw opportunity. Still, I want to be somewhere that I can call home. Finally, I can do that now: I’m a Philadelphia 76er.
Tobias Harris: As soon as I arrived from the LA Clippers in February, I could see the possibilities with this group of players, organization and city. We’ve got unfinished business, and I’m ready to commit to a long-term vision of bringing a title to Philadelphia. From the moment I arrived in Philadelphia, the city has embraced me. This is an incredible sports town and it’s hungry for an NBA title. So are the Sixers — and so am I.
Tobias Harris: In every way, I am thrilled to be staying with the 76ers and getting to work on everything — playing with my teammates again, impacting young people and, yes, bringing a championship back to Philadelphia. I can’t wait to get started.
Philadelphia will leave the $22M Tobias Harris free agent hold counting against the cap before they sign the forward. The Harris number projects to start at $31M and Philadelphia can use his hold to create cap flexibility.
76ers keep Tobias Harris
Adrian Wojnarowski: Free agent forward Tobias Harris has agreed to a five-year, $180M contract to return to the Philadelphia 76ers, his agent and father, Torrel Harris of Unique Sports Management, tells ESPN.
The Knicks are not expected to chase after top-of-the-market free agents, though some, like Kemba Walker and Nikola Vucevic reportedly already have agreements in place. They never showed enough interest in Tobias Harris be considered for a meeting with him, a league source told The Athletic. They are expected to shift their focus to short-term deals to improve a barren roster and attempt to be more competitive in 2019-20, without compromising their cap room in the long-term.
The Nets are expected to meet with free agent forward Tobias Harris and also have DeAndre Jordan and Justin Holiday among the free agents on their radar, league sources told The Athletic. Harris embodies everything the Brooklyn Nets desire on and off the court. The Long Island native is a multi-positional player who can score in pick-and-roll sets and spread the floor on offense. On defense, he’s an above-average rebounder. In the locker room, Harris is coachable and has adapted to several roles while playing for five teams in his eight-year career. He comes in early and stays late in the gym.
A league source said on Saturday that the Mavericks plan to submit a less-than-maximum offer for Philadelphia forward Tobias Harris, but the source added that Dallas fully expects the Sixers to “back up the truck” and keep Harris with a maximum contract.
The Dallas Mavericks are among a handful of summer suitors who are interested in forward Tobias Harris — but at a rate below his max, two NBA sources tell DallasBasketball.com. Additionally, the sources say his present employer, the Philadelphia Sixers, are confident they will retain the much-traveled Harris, who this year averaged 20 points and 7.9 boards in the regular season, both career-highs, shot 39.7 from 3-point range and served as a go-to guy on a contending Sixers team.
Nets Daily: If you’re wondering whether @Julius Randle is a legitimate possibility for Nets, I’m told he is. So is @Tobias Harris. No idea at what salary level but interest is mutual with both.
76ers offering Tobias Harris a max contract?
The Dallas Mavericks are among a handful of summer suitors who are interested in forward Tobias Harris — but at a rate below his max, two NBA sources tell DallasBasketball.com.
Additionally, the sources say his present employer, the Philadelphia Sixers, are confident they will retain the much-traveled Harris, who this year averaged 20 points and 7.9 boards in the regular season, both career-highs, shot 39.7 from 3-point range and served as a go-to guy on a contending Sixers team.
Michael Singer: Source: The Nuggets would have interest in Tobias Harris, but his salary demands (likely a max deal) probably price him out of Denver’s range. There are other teams (NYK, DAL) who could pay his likely asking price.
Tobias Harris and Julius Randle could be in the same boat, having to wait to see what Durant does. A source close to Harris said he’ll meet with teams on the East Coast on Sunday, then teams out West on Monday.
Clippers interested in a reunion with Tobias Harris?
One team that should express interest in Tobias Harris should they miss out on Kawhi Leonard, according to league sources: The Clippers. Harris and the Clippers had a good relationship and Harris had an All-Star caliber season before the trade to the 76ers in February. Brooklyn, Dallas, Denver, Memphis, Minnesota, New Orleans, and Sacramento are expected to also express interest.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Philadelphia has been privately expressing confidence around NBA that it can re-sign Butler and Tobias Harris, but Houston remains on case of selling Butler/76ers with a sign-and-trade scenario once free agency starts on Sunday.
Harris is meeting with teams on June 30 and July 1. Brooklyn, Sacramento, Dallas, New Orleans, and Memphis are among the teams that intend to pursue him. Don’t be surprised if his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers, get into the mix.
The team is also interested in two players from Perry’s days as assistant general manager for the Orlando Magic: Philadelphia 76ers free-agent forward Tobias Harris and Magic free-agent center Nikola Vucevic.
Stefan Bondy: With free agency starting in just one week, Tobias Harris is planning to conduct meetings on both coasts, according to a source — the East coast on June 30 and the West coast on July 1. The Long Island product is in line for a max deal.
“Obviously I’ve been traded around, but at the same time I know my game, I know what I bring to the table and I know what I’m looking for as a player.” Exactly what is that? Security? A shot at a ring? “A great organization,” Harris said. “Obviously winning’s important for me, style of play was important, and just putting myself in the right opportunity to continue to improve my game and get better year in and year out.
Brian Lewis: Tobias Harris: “Before the season that’s one of the main reasons I turned down the extension, to be able to bet on yourself and have the opportunity to control what’s to come.” Adds a great organization and style of play are important. #Nets #sixers #76ers
Utah using its space on Conley also marks some minor good news for Philadelphia and any other suitor for Tobias Harris. The Jazz had Harris listed among its major free-agency targets, sources say, but they will move down into lower power forward tiers depending on what they do with Favors.
“Tobias wants to be around good guys who want to be together,” a source close to Harris told The Post. “He wants to be on a team that has a chance to win a championship. He’s looking for a good coach, a good style of play and a team with a chance to win a championship.”
The Nets and free agent forward Tobias Harris have mutual free agent interest in each other, league sources told The Athletic. Harris represents a fit at power forward, where Brooklyn shuffled four players last season. Harris, who turns 27 on July 15, fits the age trajectory of Brooklyn’s young core, provides offensive versatility as a playmaking four in pick-and-roll sets and as a shooter, and fits Brooklyn’s culture as a well-regarded teammate over his career.
The hype around the Nets being a serious consideration for free agents this summer continues to grow. According to multiple reports, including from the New York Post and Philly.com, Brooklyn will be one of the suitors for Philadelphia’s Tobias Harris. Sources told SNY Insider Ian Begley that throughout the regular season, some people close to Harris viewed the Nets as a strong destination for Harris.
According to several sources, the Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers, and Brooklyn Nets are among the teams that will go after the forward in free agency. All five teams can offer maximum-salary contracts.
Harris will be an unrestricted free agent and figures to be a max guy in this seller’s market. Sources around the league expect Brooklyn, Dallas and New York to be in line for his services if he decides he wants out of Philadelphia. Like Butler, Harris is eligible to sign a five-year, $190 million contract with the team. Outside suitors can only offer him, and Butler, a four-year contract for less annual money.
Tobias Harris an option for Utah?
Does this mean the Jazz are likely to lure an impact player? That remains to be seen. But, it does mean they at least have a fighting chance. One player who has interest, according to sources: Tobias Harris. Harris is a 6-foot-9 combination forward who currently plays in Philadelphia. He’s someone who is dynamic on or off the basketball. He can shoot from the perimeter. He can score in a variety of ways. The Sixers hold his Bird Rights and can offer him a full five-year max contract. But, if they don’t, and Harris looks around, the Jazz would have at least a fighting chance, league sources tell The Athletic.
One source close to Harris’ camp explained how Tobias likes his role in Philadelphia, but the idea of returning home is something he will likely consider this summer. Other names have been mentioned, such as Jimmy Butler, who put the Nets atop his list of destinations when demanding a trade out of Minnesota. Similar to Tobias, a source close to Kemba Walker said the star point guard is intrigued by the idea of coming back to play in his home state — including both the Knicks and Nets.
Multiple teams interested in Tobias Harris
Tobias Harris, meanwhile, is a native of New York and was intrigued by Philadelphia over the course of this season, dating back to his time with the Clippers. Around the league, executives believe several other teams, such as Memphis, Utah, Dallas and Brooklyn, will also provide competition for Harris.
Kristian Winfield: Tobias Harris’ high school coach just called into WFAN Radio. Asked if he will deliver Tobias to the Brooklyn Nets this summer, he jokes: “I cannot guarantee that, but I will do my best when I talk to over the summer.” Says Harris always comes back during the off-season.
Josh Harris told us last week that the Sixers want to keep both Tobias Harris and Butler because players of that caliber are difficult to acquire. He’s right. The franchise learned that difficult lesson last offseason when they had oodles of cap space but no high-level free agents to ladle it out to. Retaining Harris and Butler would zoom them deep into the luxury tax for the foreseeable future and handicap how the Sixers can fill out the rest of the roster—especially because Simmons will soon be in line to sign an extension. That would be a lot of money wrapped up in four players. “We get it,” Harris stipulated. “It’s expensive.”
The Sixers are 8-5 since he arrived, with a net rating that has been slightly improved from before (3.2 with him, three without, and that includes eight games without Embiid when he was out with a knee injury). In terms of the early stages of the Harris-Sixers relationship, it’s probably a good sign for this summer’s negotiations that a source close to Harris recently raved about first-year general manager Elton Brand.
I know there was a feeling for you that you wanted to win in L.A. And now you’re here. Does the mindset carry over to staying with this current organization — and trying to win? Tobias Harris: It would be selfish of me to not come into this situation with an open mind to make this work for the long-term. That’s where my mindset is at. I’m a loyal guy to where I am, and if I feel that loyalty back, that is how I operate. For me, it’s just making it work here and figuring out how it will go. So far, it’s been really good. Gotta show that loyalty.
Keith Pompey: “I hope he’s a Philadelphia 76er for a long time,” Brett Brown on @Tobias Harris #Sixers #NBA
“We gave up a lot to get Tobias and Jimmy on our team,” Harris told ESPN. “We think they’re exceptional talents. We’re going to try to keep them. We know we are going to have to pay these guys in an appropriate way. We get it. It’s expensive.”
Tobias Harris hopes to stay a while with his new team after bouncing around the NBA throughout his career. Harris was the centerpiece of a blockbuster deal the Philadelphia 76ers made early Wednesday morning to bolster their chances at making a run at a championship.
“The top of the list for me is winning culture and No. 2 is loyalty,” Harris said Thursday. “Just finding the right situation for team basketball, a winning culture and loyalty from both sides. This team has made a big trade and I’m hopeful it can be a long-term partnership.”
For first-year Sixers general manager Elton Brand, it is the second significant deal of the season — bringing Harris and Butler into the Sixers lineup. Along with Butler, Harris will be a free agent this summer and the Sixers plan to be aggressive in re-signing him to an extension, league sources said.
Adrian Wojnarowski: The Sixers are budgeting to re-sign and keep a new Big 4, including free agents Tobias Harris and Jimmy Butler this summer, league sources tell ESPN. Philadelphia has long-term plans for Harris, Butler, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons together.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Tobias Harris could be moving toward a maximum-level contract in free agency this summer, something that would’ve been difficult for Clippers to do with their own free agency aspirations.
Other teams have called about Tobias Harris, but the Clips have so far shown no inclination to deal him, sources say. They would happily re-sign him if July goes a certain way for them.
Utah would forfeit a max salary slot in that deal. They could still have significant room depending on a few other variables, but probably not enough to add even a second-tier free agent such as Khris Middleton or Tobias Harris. (The Jazz would have interest in Harris if they save space, per league sources.)
In a contract season, the Long Island native admitted he’s heard from Clippers fans and opposing fans regarding free agency at games. However, earning a maximum contract isn’t what’s motivating him to reach new heights in his game this season. “I think it’s more motivation just on myself of trying to really unlock another level of my own play and try to help our team get to the playoffs,” Harris said. “That’s where I put all my motivation. I don’t worry about what’s to come in the future. Honestly, I just worry about pretty much the present moment and how I can help our team. I’ve been a free agent before, and I took the same approach, and I felt a good rhythm when I focused on the team and focused on winning and focused on controlling how I could get better every single day, and that’s how I approach everything I do.”
Tobias Harris, the centerpiece of the Griffin trade, might be headed to his first All-Star Game and has been so valuable that some executives think they should use one of their max slots on him. The reviews for rookie point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who the Clippers semi-hid by promising him they’d draft him in the lottery, and he at least partially shut down workouts, have been excellent.
That is why when the Clippers approached Harris with a four-year, $80 million extension in late July, he and his father had to think long and hard about accepting the deal. This was the type of long-term investment they had been looking for since Harris entered the league. The Clippers have been deliberately calculated with their long-term spending since last summer, saving cap space for the 2019 offseason and potentially even 2020. But the franchise decided that offering Harris a contract with an annual value of $20 million per season — which would be a sizable hit to their cap space — was a worthy investment. It’s All-Star-level money for a player that has yet to make an All-Star team.
“For myself and my representation, we looked at it. We did really process it to make that decision,” Harris said. “At the end of the day, it is $80 million. But for me, it’s more of going out and earning what my value is. It has nothing to do with me figuring out what the Clippers are doing or things like that. “No, I love the whole organization. I love the team. I hope this relationship that we have is long-lasting. But it’s more of just on myself as a player, just pushing myself to see where I’m at at the end of the year. And we’ll go from there. That’s where it was. Both sides, we talked about it and both sides had really good dialogue on that. So it wasn’t nothing. We really were thankful that offer was there.”
Frankly, the rejection wasn’t much of a rejection at all. It was a postponement of the negotiation. As things stand, Harris prefers to stay with the Clippers long term. “When it’s all said and done, he’s probably going to be a Clipper,” Torrel said. “[If] everything moves in the right direction, he’ll probably be a long-term Clipper. We’re hoping. We like that. That’s what we want.”
“I’m happy and excited,” Harris told the Orlando Sentinel late Friday night from his family’s home on Long Island. “It’s still surreal for me. I just think back when I first came to the NBA, and I wanted to just really be here for more than four years. You know, that’s the average expectancy as an NBA player. I’m blessed to have the opportunity to be in Orlando, to get an opportunity where I can showcase my game and be on a great team with great teammates and a great organization. So it’s a true blessing. It really is.”
Shams Charania: Tobias Harris agreed on a four-year, $64 million deal with Orlando, league sources tell RealGM.
Gary Washburn: League sources say #Magic fully intend to match any offer sheet for Tobias Harris, meaning interested teams such as #celtics unlikely to bid
The Lakers also have interest in Dwyane Wade and Tobias Harris, although filling out their front line is the club’s top priority.
Tobias Harris on his way out?
Michael Scotto: Sources: Tobias Harris would prefer not to return to the Orlando Magic and play for Scott Skiles, who previously coached him in Milwaukee.
Pistons, Celtics frontrunners for Tobias Harris?
As Orlando restricted free agent Tobias Harris will pursue a maximum-level offer sheet on July 1 that the Magic possibly won’t match, the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics have emerged as leading candidates for the talented forward, league sources told RealGM.
June 28, 2022 | 12:13 pm EDT Update
Matej Sportinfo: Luka and Goran were asked about the possibility of them playing together in Dallas next season. Luka: “I would like to answer that, but I think it’s a 100.000 penalty if I did. You should ask the GM about that.” Goran: “We can’t talk about it till july 1st.”
Westbrook’s agent Thad Foucher is planning to file the paperwork Tuesday, sources said. Westbrook has a Wednesday deadline on his option. Westbrook, an eight-time All-Star and 2017 NBA Most Valuable Player, enters the final season of his original five-year, $206 million contract.
Kyle Neubeck: Some Sixers housekeeping — they have officially exercised Shake Milton’s team option for next season, a team official confirmed to me this morning
June 28, 2022 | 11:13 am EDT Update
Russell Westbrook opts in
Adrian Wojnarowski: ESPN Sources: Los Angeles Lakers star Russell Westbrook is planning to exercise his $47.1 million option to return to the franchise for the 2022-2023 season.
We’re talking about, you know, high-ranking people who believe that Kyrie is not this is not done. I don’t know. Yeah, let me just say this about the Lakers: He obviously was very interested in joining the Lakers, and the Lakers are very interested in having him. The problem is, is that the Lakers can’t really right now.
The Nets and Irving did come close to an agreement late last week, sources said, before talks stalled out. Sources said Irving had three potential opt-in-and-trade options available to pursue before making his final decision. Across the league, there are only five teams with projected salary-cap space: Detroit, San Antonio, Orlando, Indiana and New York, with all wanting to build around younger players or prioritizing other free agents. For their part, the Lakers were much more motivated to have Irving sign as a free agent than they were in acquiring the three-time All-NBA guard via trade, sources said. And as Irving went through his opt-in-and-trade options — as well as the potential of joining the Lakers in free agency — the decision to return to Brooklyn crystalized.
Irving’s agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, and the Nets front office held extensive and productive extension discussions over the past six days, with sources on both sides describing good-faith negotiations to reach a new deal. The Nets and Shetellia Riley Irving worked through various proposals, including a two-year max extension that included incentives based on games played as well as a four-year max that included two years guaranteed and triggers for years three and four based on the games played in years one and two, sources said. Irving showed a willingness to accept an incentive-based deal before a final counter was made to the Nets, according to sources: a short-term contract extension protecting both sides with a player option. Brooklyn declined.
