The New York Knicks are in rebuilding mode, but they’re the destination that one rising NBA superstar wants to sign with this summer.
Tobias Harris is a rising NBA superstar but and he’s staying true to those roots by doing something all superstars seem to do — abandon Orlando. The Magic star is in the final year of his contract and refuse to sign an extension with the team before the deadline to do so back at the end of October.
More from NBA
- Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
- 3 reasons the Blazers should trade Damian Lillard to the Heat and 2 reasons they shouldn’t
- LeBron James, Giannis, Damian Lillard all want that Mbappé money
- Jaylen Brown signs richest contract in NBA history without a left hand
- NBA rumors: Pistons determined to trade Killian Hayes
As a result, Harris is going to be an restricted free agent this summer and he’s already cherry picking his next destination. According to Marc Berman from the New York Post, Harris is eyeing a contract with the New York Knicks as he approaches free agency this summer.
"Harris has a big summer ahead, electing to become a restricted free agent rather than signing Orlando’s four-year, $36 million extension offer. A source told The Post in November the Knicks are tops on his list."
This is both good news and bad news for the Magic. While Harris isn’t actively speaking out against playing long term with the Magic, he’s not really investing a lot of time in making sure there aren’t any hurt feelings in Orlando. Harris is a New York kid who wants to win a title with the Knicks, but he’s under contract with the Magic and may be for a long time.
If the Knicks offer Harris a max contract this summer, the Magic will have a chance to match that and keep him in Orlando. One thing that is working against that though is the fact that the Magic failed to offer Harris a max contract before the deadline in October and there isn’t much to say they’ll change their minds.
The idea of losing Harris might spur a change, but the Magic are in position where Harris is likely going to get an offer sheet that exceeds the price they were comfortable paying him. That means it’s very possible that even with the restricted tag attached to his free agency, Harris could end up in New York in 2015-16 as part of a revamped Knicks squad.
[H/T: NY Post]
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle