Tobias Harris was signed for a simple reason: To make the game easier for Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham. He passed that test with flying colors in 2024-25, disregarding the outside noise and proving that he can ideally complement Detroit's franchise player.
In the process, Harris epitomized the manner in which the Pistons should be making every move: With the intention of simplifying the game for Cunningham.
Harris finished his first season in Detroit with averages of 13.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steal, 0.8 blocks, and 1.2 three-point field goals made per game on .477/.345/.861 shooting. It was relatively true to form, as he provided a bit of everything on both ends of the floor.
No longer defined by the massive contract that Philadelphia 76ers fans so often used against him, Harris helped Detroit end a six-year postseason drought.
The manner in which Harris did so was by learning what Cunningham needed from him and adapting his game in kind. He focused more on getting downhill, posting his best field goal percentage on dunks and layups since 2013-14 and shooting 77 percent when Cunningham gave him such opportunities.
Harris would likely prefer to have shot better from beyond the arc, but his willingness to adapt to how Cunningham prefers to play is a testament to how perfect he is for Detroit's vision.
Pistons must ensure every move simplifies game for Cade Cunningham
Harris is a career 36.6 percent shooter from beyond the arc who has converted 38.5 percent of his attempts since 2017-18. As such, it's fair to believe he'll bounce back in 2025-26, especially when one considers how often Cunningham looks his way.
In 2024-25, no Pistons player received a higher frequency of passes from Cunningham than Harris—a trend that may very well continue in 2025-26.
Cunningham's trust in Harris is a promising sign for Detroit that they've equipped their franchise player with teammates he's comfortable deferring to. If nothing else, he thrived with his new supporting cast to the point of receiving his first career All-NBA and All-Star nods.
Cunningham finished the 2024-25 season with career-best averages of 26.1 points and 9.1 assists per game, and many expect him to add another rush of accolades in 2025-26.
Harris will play a definitive role in Cunningham's success as a player who can be trusted for interior efficiency and a likely uptick in success from beyond the arc. Detroit will need to operate in a consistent manner on this front, however, as the Harris acquisition is simply one example of a successful approach.
Thankfully, the Pistons seem to be of that very mind, as offseason acquisitions Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson project to fit well alongside the franchise player.
A healthy Jaden Ivey should help in that same regard, but the Pistons' work is far from done on the roster-building front. Difficult decisions are looming with the likes of Jalen Duren, Harris, Ivey, and Marcus Sasser all eligible for free agency in 2026.
When those negotiations begin and roster additions become a topic of conversation again, Detroit must follow the pattern it established with Harris by prioritizing their fit alongside Cunningham above all else.