Tobias Harris potentially wants to come home.
The Long Island, New York basketball product will enter restricted free agency this summer after failing to reach an extension with the Orlando Magic by the October 31 deadline. According to The Knicks Blog’s Adam Zagoria, he has his sights set on the New York Knicks:
But the Long Island product could end up staying in his hometown for much longer if he ends up signing with the Knicks as a restricted free agent next summer.
“I’m telling you if the Knicks come at him hard, who wouldn’t want to play for their hometown team?” a Harris confidant told SNY.tv and The Knicks Blog.
The source pointed out that the 6-foot-9 Harris plays well alongside Knicks star Carmelo Anthony. The pair worked out together multiple times this summer at 23, Anthony’s midtown gym.
“They play well together,” the confidant said. “Carmelo always had him on his team when Kevin Durant came to town and they would win every game.”
Well isn’t that convenient. The Magic travel to New York and, just like that, Harris is linked to New York.
Smell that?
It’s the aroma of bullllllll.
Harris may very well be interested in joining the Knicks. He was born in Islip, New York and attended high school in Dix Hills. He was probably a Knicks fan growing up. His contract with Nike also stands to increase if he signs in Los Angeles, Chicago or New York, per Zagoria. On some level, he has to be thinking about the Lakers too. The Bulls won’t have cap space; they will.
But all this talk is so premature right now. Chances are Harris won’t sign with the Knicks. Not only can the Magic match any offer sheet he signs, the Knicks have their sights set on much bigger targets. Think Marc Gasol. Or DeAndre Jordan. If Kevin Love takes meetings for some reason, you better believe the Knicks will schedule one.
And if they can’t land a big fish this summer, they’re more likely to conserve cap space for another year, ensuring ultimate flexibility for summer 2016, when the salary cap is expected to explode and Kevin Durant is slated to hit free agency.
Signing Harris would significantly cut into their spending power. Assuming health, he’s due to make $10-plus million annually. Even with the cap about to erupt, that’s a pretty penny. If the Knicks really want to invest in another wing long term, they have Iman Shumpert, who likely wouldn’t cost them as much.
Remember, too, that the Knicks will be linked to anyone and everyone this offseason. When they have all that space, agents and player camps will use them as a negotiating tactics. If other suitors hear the big, bad Knicks are involved, they may be more inclined to meet free-agent asking prices.
This is all a game. It’s all part of the business. This isn’t the first rumor involving the Knicks and a free agent they won’t target, and it won’t be the last. Get used to it.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com.
