Why the experts are wrong about the Tobias Harris signing for the Pistons

The Tobias Harris signing isn’t just about wins, it’s about development and future assets 

The Detroit Pistons are already markedly better than they were on paper coming into last season, so they should win more games, but that wasn’t the only point of the Tobias Harris signing, nor any of the moves the Pistons have made this offseason.

This is about development of the young players, which has been stunted because they haven’t had a coherent or complementary roster around them, and because the veterans they did have were always hurt and not very good when they weren’t. 

Harris may not be an All-Star, but he’s a solid player who adds a real NBA talent to a roster that lacked it. He's also a durable player who hasn't missed a lot of games.

This will help the young players, particularly Cade Cunningham, who has been forced to carry a massive burden without any help. Better players around him means less forcing, fewer turnovers and more opportunity for Cade. 

Harris is also not just a player, he’s a contract, one that aligns perfectly with the timeline Trajan Langdon has established. His play shouldn’t dip too dramatically in two seasons, and if it doesn’t, he’ll be easy to trade as an expiring contract for future assets or potentially as the centerpiece of a big trade for a star.

There are benefits of Harris that go beyond his value in the win column or his annual salary. He’s going to help their young guys, he stays healthy, and will give the team a chance to play out their season trying to win instead of plugging injuries with G-League and two-way players as they have done the last four seasons. 

And when it comes to fit, I’m not sure I agree with the experts on that one either.