After two seasons in Milwaukee and four more in Orlando, Tobias Harris may finally have a shot to make the playoffs. Today the Magic traded the ex-Vol to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova. Detroit sits just half a game out of the eight seed in the Eastern Conference, and currently ranks sixth in the East in point differential.
As the SB Nation piece mentions in the link above, Detroit has a solid young nucleus with Andre Drummond, Reggie Jackson, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Harris projects as an upgrade over Ilyasova at power forward, where he's averaged between 14-17 points per game and between 6-9 rebounds during his time in Orlando.
SB Nation also has a good piece on why it never quite worked to an All-Star level in Orlando:
The Magic were hoping that Harris would take a step forward and develop into an All-Star caliber player under new head coach Scott Skiles. His minutes are right in line with where they've been in the past, but he's taken a back seat on the offensive end. Only 19 percent of the team's possessions ended with the ball in his hands, compared to 23 last season. The Pistons obviously see Harris' potential and will play him as a power forward alongside Andre Drummond.
Why the Magic traded Tobias Harris
Harris has the ability to do a little bit of everything. He can put the ball on the floor and create his own shot. He can shoot from deep. He's big enough (6'9, 235 pounds) to defend in the post and quick enough to stay with wings on the perimeter. He's an active on-ball defender and solid rebounder. He has all the talent a team could want.
However, at times, Harris seems to disappear on the floor for Orlando. Part of that is because he's often relegated to a supporting role. The Magic's roster is stocked with young, talented players, who like to have the ball in their hands. Instead of designing plays ran for Harris, Orlando relegates him to the corner to help space the floor for Elfrid Payton, Victor Oladipo, Evan Fournier and Nikola Vucevic.
Tobias follows in the foosteps of former Vol Allan Houston in Detroit, who spent his first three seasons with the Pistons. Congrats to him for being the centerpiece of a move that hopefully pushes the Pistons into the playoffs.
God closes one door to open up another, though this is not the easiest time it's part of life… https://t.co/HaRX3GgsYs
— Tobias Harris (@tobias31) February 16, 2016
Tobias Harris on being traded to Detroit: "I'm ready to make the playoffs!"
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) February 16, 2016
Liked the move by Detroit to snare Tobias Harris for 2 expirings. He's a gamer. Weird move by Orlando unless a 2nd one is coming.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 16, 2016