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Tobias Harris Auditioning For Other Teams?

By Wes Goldberg

Nov 5, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) hits a buzzer beater past Philadelphia 76ers forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (12) to win the game at the Wells Fargo Center. The Magic defeated the 76ers 91-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12) hits a buzzer beater past Philadelphia 76ers forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (12) to win the game at the Wells Fargo Center. The Magic defeated the 76ers 91-89. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orlando Magic did not extend Tobias Harris, which gives the rest of the NBA the chance to dictate his price tag after the season.

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The Orlando Magic didn’t sign Tobias Harris to a contract extension last month, and now the forward’s play this season will dictate his next contract. More from Brian Schmitz, for the Orlando Sentinel.

"On track to become a restricted free agent this summer, Harris is, in effect, auditioning for other NBA clubs, plain and simple.The Magic did not meet Harris’ asking price when the parties tried to negotiate an extension to lock him up before the Oct. 31 deadline. […]Harris rolled the dice, too, in turning down the guaranteed security of a Magic contract offer (although Harris says “the Magic never negotiated.”)"

Harris hit the game-winning shot in the Magic’s Wednesday night game against the Philadelphia 76ers. He’s got intriguing potential on offense and the size and athleticism to be an average-to-plus defender. Though he has yet to put it all together. We saw other forwards get lucrative deals this offseason. Chandler Parsons signed a deal worth $15 million a year as a restricted free agent, and Gordon Hayward will earn the max. Harris isn’t quite at the level right now, but this is the year for his to prove it.

The Magic and GM Rob Hennigan already extended Nikola Vucevic, making him a part of the long-term building process. Are they willing to also signed Harris to something around $10 million a season? The team also drafted Aaron Gordon with the eight pick, who plays the same position as Harris. The idea should be for Gordon to start, so is paying that much of Harris worth it for a sixth man (if that)? Or do they see either Harris or Gordon making the transition to a stretch-4. Oh, but then what happens with Channing Frye, who just signed a four-year, $32 million deal.

It makes sense that Harris won’t be with the Magic next season, and that the team will shop him before the trade deadline to get something in return for him before another team offers him a deal the Magic can not/will not match.

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