Detroit — The Detroit Pistons put together a 60-win season and advanced to the second round of the playoffs, marking their most successful campaign in 18 years.
However, after this success, the Pistons are entering the offseason with several important decisions to make. These choices will determine whether they sustain their positive momentum in team development or stagnate, potentially hindering their progress.
Their main responsibility will be to upgrade a roster that has contributed to one of the best two-year turnarounds in league history. A crucial decision the Pistons will face is whether to retain Tobias Harris.
The veteran forward will enter free agency this summer after spending the last two seasons with the Pistons. A source close to Harris told The Detroit News that winning a championship is Harris’ top priority as he considers his next move. He has a strong desire to return to Detroit and believes that he can achieve the feat with the Pistons.
However, given his significant impact on the franchise’s resurgence, he is likely to attract interest from several teams across the league.
“Tobias has been great. His approach and professionalism have been huge in terms of us establishing the environment that we have had over the past two years,” president of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said. “There isn’t a day when he does not come to work or a day when he doesn’t do extra work. Pre-practice and post-practice, he was a finalist for the community award. We are very proud of what he does for us.”
When Harris signed with the franchise in July 2024, many questioned whether he could help the Pistons escape their struggles, especially given his unceremonious departure from the Philadelphia 76ers. He agreed to a two-year, $52 million contract to return to Detroit for a second stint and exceeded even the modest expectations.
Over the previous two seasons, Harris appeared in 136 games, averaging 13.5 points on 47.3% shooting from the field. In addition, he also added 5.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game. The Pistons believe he is coming off a campaign in which he played some of the best basketball of his career. Over the first 11 playoff games this spring, Harris averaged 20.8 points on 45.5% shooting.
In the first-round series against the Orlando Magic, Harris emerged as the Pistons’ second-best player, averaging 21.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.6 steals, helping the team fight back from a 3-1 deficit to win in seven games.
“He’s the ultimate vet,” center Jalen Duren said. “He’s a guy we can go to when we need a bucket. He’s just the ultimate vet. He’s just been that for us all season, so it’s nothing new.”
Harris made significant contributions over two seasons, stepping up on several occasions to help lead the Pistons to victory.
There have been moments when Harris stepped up with his talents. He scored 20 or more points 10 times during the regular season. One of his best scoring performances came during the Pistons’ 138-135 victory over the Miami Heat on Nov. 29. Harris scored a season-high 26 points on 10-for-12 shooting, 4-for-6 from behind the arc.
Harris also took the helm as one of the Pistons’ go-to scorers down the stretch. One of which came when he scored 15 of his 23 points in the second half to lift Detroit to a 106-92 regular-season victory over the Orlando Magic on March 1. In addition, he used his voice to help the Pistons stay composed during challenging moments in games, showcasing veteran leadership that also helped shape several victories.
Even beyond the Xs and Os, Harris has been beneficial, offering a handful of pieces of advice to help the Pistons’ young core build a strong foundation for sustainable success in their respective careers. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff considers him a “safety blanket.”
“Nobody can say s— to me about Tobias Harris. He is dependable, reliable, and prepared for the moment,” Bickerstaff said. “He’s a leader, he’s a great teammate, (and) he’s a great human being. He’s a high-level competitor — just exceptional.”
With his versatile contributions, Harris did an exceptional job proving his importance to Detroit. Not even the lone criticism of subpar postseason production in the final three playoff games — in which Harris averaged 8.0 points on 20.0% field-goal shooting — can diminish his impact.
The Pistons have greatly appreciated Harris’ contributions to the franchise’s success and are eager to have him return. However, with several important roster decisions pending, including the contract extensions for Duren and Ausar Thompson, it is unclear where Harris ranks on the team’s priority list. However, there is a good chance Harris will return to the Pistons for next season rather than donning a new jersey outside the Motor City.
“It is hard to put into words what he has done for this organization for our young players,” Langdon said. “They call him ‘Unc’ for a reason. We have appreciated everything that he has brought. He is somebody we hope we can keep in a Pistons uniform.”
Coty.Davis@detroitnews.com
@cotydavis_24
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Pistons say they want to bring back Tobias Harris, but can they?
Reporting by Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Coty M. Davis, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
