Today, Tobias Harris is widely recognized as a player whose colossal annual salary failed to align with his contributions to the Philadelphia 76ers. Whether fair or foul, it's one of the primary reasons the Detroit Pistons were able to sign him to a two-year deal while he was still in his prime.
Before Harris was regarded as overpaid, however, he was commonly recognized as one of the better players south of the All-Star line—a reputation he's quietly restoring.
Harris' arrival in Detroit was one of the catalysts to an essential change within the organization. He provided a veteran presence that a generally young team benefited from both on and off the court, with his timely contributions proving invaluable to team success.
For a young Pistons team that won just 14 games the season prior, having a veteran like Harris who could stabilize their efforts and drown out the noise played a massive role in securing their first trip to the playoffs in six years.
Harris has raised his game in 2025-26, improving his efficiency from beyond the arc and increasing his scoring average as the Pistons' identity takes shape. He's also sustained the two-way versatility that's been a trademark of his career despite the attempts to discredit him.
Perhaps most importantly, Harris is providing value whether superstar Cade Cunningham is on the court or not.
Pistons veteran Tobias Harris is back to being underrated
Harris is currently averaging 15.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.8 three-point field goals made on .464/.381/.842 shooting. That alone offers reason to be intrigued by the value he's providing to a Pistons team that needs to alleviate pressure from Cunningham.
Harris has certainly thrived in that regard, as he's averaging 17.2 points per 75 possessions while shooting 39.0 percent from beyond the arc when sharing the court with Cunningham.
The more important numbers, however, have been accumulated during the 81 minutes he's played without Cunningham. Limited a sample size as that may be, Harris is averaging 21.9 points per 75 possessions when they aren't on the court together.
Though the Pistons are a far better team when they share the court than when Harris is without Cunningham, the presence of a player who can score sans the superstar is pivotal.
Cunningham is the epitome of a high-volume talent, with a usage rate that ranks No. 8 in the NBA. The task of taking something off of his plate has unfortunately been complicated by Jaden Ivey and Duncan Robinson each missing time due to injuries.
Thankfully, Harris continues to step up as a player who can work off of Cunningham or create for himself when others may struggle to.
Compounded by his ability to offer a bit of everything on both ends of the floor, Harris is a crucial contributor. Whether or not his impact is reflected statistically, he makes the game easier for the franchise player—and that's exactly what the supporting cast is meant to do.
Critics remain hung up on the contract he used to play on, but Harris offers the support the superstar needs and continues to fly under the radar as he does so.