For most of the season, Tobias Harris has been talked about mostly in terms of his expiring contract, which appears in just about every big trade proposal, but last night showed Harris is more than just a number on a page.
Harris blew up for 25 points against the Celtics, who opted to go small against him for most of the night, using defenders like Derrick White, who had a tough time with him in the post.
Harris has been a security blanket for the Pistons, who have often struggled to generate good looks in the half court and need someone else to step up consistently beside Cade Cunningham.
While Harris isn’t going to be that guy every night, he does give the Pistons a weapon in the playoffs that will be difficult for opponents to match up with.
Tobias Harris is important for the Detroit Pistons
There have been times this season when the Pistons have been better without Tobias Harris on the court, but things change in the playoffs when the games slow down and there is more isolation, where Harris is still very dependable.
The Pistons are 8-3 when Harris scores 15 or more points this season, and in those games, he’s shooting over 41 percent from 3-point range, so when the Pistons are getting buckets from Harris, they are tough to beat.
And we saw last night how he can create matchup problems for teams like the Celtics who go with a guard and wing heavy lineup, none of which matches up well with Harris in the post. That will change somewhat if Jayson Tatum returns, but Harris is still a favorable offensive matchup against most of the Pistons’ possible playoff opponents.
Of course, Harris is sometimes giving up size or quickness on the other end, which we also saw last night when Jaylen Brown was blowing by him late in the game, so there is a trade off in certain matchups.
The point is that Harris is a steady hand, and guy who gives the Pistons a sense of calm when they know they can throw him the ball in the post and he can get to his spot for a decent look. That calm is something a young team will need in the playoffs if they want to make a deep run.
It’s tough to say what the Pistons will do at the trade deadline, but if it involves Tobias Harris, they will have to think carefully how they will not only replace his production, but the advantages he sometimes provides and the veteran leadership and cool head he brings every night.
I’m not saying there aren’t trades out there involving Harris that make sense for the Pistons, but he is more than just an expiring contract, especially in a playoff situation.