Faced with increasingly tough financial decisions this offseason, the Pistons elected not to re-sign Tobias Harris. Harris instead joined the defending Western Conference champion Spurs, where he can be the final piece for a title squad.
San Antonio already had a formidable squad last season, but lacked proven veteran shot creation in the playoffs. Harris filled that exact role for the Pistons. Now he’s got a chance to make his mark for a team already knocking at the door of a championship.
Harris is the perfect addition for the Spurs
Harris’ impact in San Antonio will depend entirely on what role the Spurs ask him to play. If they ask him to be a knockdown shooter, they’re bound for disappointment. But if the Spurs let him play his natural game as a shot creator, his addition should be a beautiful union.
Last season, the Spurs struggled to get halfcourt offense going in the playoffs when their primary action stalled. Victor Wembanyama is obviously a rising superstar but he doesn’t have a go-to scoring package in those situations yet. And the Spurs’ intended answer for that question, De'Aaron Fox, was their most disappointing player last season.
For the last two seasons, Harris has been a great security blanket for the young Pistons with his versatile scoring arsenal that requires little spacing to get his shot off. He's often able to create something out of nothing, especially in the post against smaller defenders. Nowhere was this strength more apparent than in Detroit's first-round series against Orlando last season.
San Antonio has a chance to take another leap forward
Since the Spurs have such a young core anyways, they're expected to see a ton of internal growth regardless by next season's playoffs. By bringing in Harris, they also give their young players less pressure to develop for the tough postseason environment. Wemby and company can develop their late-clock offense while still knowing they have a veteran to take over when the times get tough.
For the last several years, it feels like the eventual NBA champions have been defined by an underrated role player addition. For example, last season's Knicks run wouldn't have been possible without the 3-and-D efforts of Mikal Bridges and especially OG Anunoby. Harris is now set up to take up a similar mantle with the Spurs and help them complete their championship puzzle.
In terms of overall talent, Harris was obviously not the most notable name to switch teams this season. But fit wise, his particular set of skills could have a hugely outsized impact for the Spurs in key playoff situations. If that's enough to get them over the hump for a championship, Harris will cement his place in history as a championship difference-maker.
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