The Detroit Pistons have decided to bet on a familiar cornerstone, welcoming back forward Tobias Harris on a two-year contract worth $52 million. At 31 years of age, Harris's return is a signal of the Pistons' intention to add a tested scorer and a veteran voice to a team that finished last season with a dismal 14-68 record.
In his previous stint with the team from 2016-18, Harris, who stands tall at 6-foot-9, showed his versatility across forward positions, starting in 121 of his 157 games. He left fans and the front office alike with memorable performances, averaging 16.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game and shooting 38% from beyond the arc. The Pistons, stumbling through a rebuilding phase with a notable 28-game losing streak last season, are now looking for Harris to reignite some of his past production as he joins forces with Cade Cunningham, according to reports from FOX 2 Detroit.
However, not all sentiments about Harris's return are streaked with optimism. Some critics view the Pistons' signing as a pricey gamble for a player whose playoff performance dipped last season, with a decrease to averages of 9.0 points and 33% 3-point shooting. "I'm not totally sure who the Pistons' competition was to sign Harris," ESPN's Kevin Pelton reflected on the deal's necessity, his concerns echoed in the bleak grade of D+ he gave the signing, and captured by Detroit Free Press.
Even with these criticisms in tow, Pistons president Trajan Langdon appears to be forging ahead with a clear vision. Langdon, after retooling the front office and securing J.B. Bickerstaff as the new head coach, still possesses around $26.5 million in cap space. This leaves room for additional strategic updates to the team's dynamic, as the Pistons search for ways to cast off the shadow of last year's lost season and regain competitive standing, as mentioned by The Detroit News. With these maneuvers, Detroit appears to be positioning not just for improved gameplay but also for future flexibility in a market that waits for no one.
