Tobias Harris is set to hit the open free agency market this offseason and will have quite a few suitors lining up with interest in signing him. After being traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason, Harris will have a tough decision or two to make. Leaving the 76ers would be a tough move, but there are a few teams that would offer ideal situations for him.
Harris ended up averaging 20.0 points per game in 2018-19 to go along with 7.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He shot 48.7 percent from the field overall and knocked down 39.7 percent of his three-point attempts.
One of those teams would be the Indiana Pacers, who made an aggressive push into the playoffs even without their superstar, Victor Oladipo.
Indiana is going to be one of the most aggressive teams in free agency this summer. They are projected to have around $45 million in cap space, which will give them the freedom to make some major moves.
There have been plenty of names linked to the Pacers, including Kemba Walker and Khris Middleton, but Harris is now a target. As previously reported, the Pacers are among the teams expected to aggressively pursue Harris this summer.
Kevin Pritchard and the Pacers may not be a “sexy” free agency destination, but they might just be the best fit for Harris.
Let's dive in and take a look at three reasons Harris would be an ideal fit with the Pacers.
3. The Pacers Need a Legitimate Stretch Power Forward
If you go back and watch Indiana's offense over the past couple of years, you will understand why a player like Tobias Harris would be a perfect fit. Thaddeus Young has been a top-notch leader and a great hustle player for the Pacers, but they simply need a shooter at the power forward position.
Too often, teams were able to sag off of Young and allow him to shoot wide open threes. He was capable of knocking them down, but more often than not he would miss. Putting Harris in that lineup and giving him those looks would make the Pacers a much more dangerous offensive team.
2. Indiana Can Offer Harris Contention
While the Pacers may not be viewed as a championship contender, there is no question that they can offer Harris a chance to win each and every year. They have a very talented core between Oladipo, Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis, and even Aaron Holiday. Harris would slide in nicely alongside those guys.
Staying in the Eastern Conference would likely be an attractive option for Harris. He would be able to join a team that was already competitive without him and help push them over the top into serious contention.
1. Harris Can Get the Contract He's Wanting
There is no doubt that Harris' preference would be able to get the five-year max contract from the 76ers, but that may not be available. Philadelphia will have to be careful how they spend their money with quite a few free agents to take care of now and in the future.
If Philadelphia doesn't offer that max deal, the Pacers can definitely give Harris the kind of contract that he's looking for. With big-time cap space this offseason and the desire to be aggressive this offseason, Indiana might just be willing to offer Harris a four-year contract worth the max. That offer would be very difficult for Harris to turn down, especially coming from a contender in the East.
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