NBA free agency will start at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 30, allowing teams to negotiate with free agents. However, signings cannot commence until 12:01 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 6. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic/Stadium, the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons are anticipated to be the leading contenders for Tobias Harris.
Harris, who recently had a challenging season with the Philadelphia 76ers despite maintaining solid stats, often faced criticism when the team underperformed. Previously, Harris had been a key player for the Detroit Pistons and Los Angeles Clippers due to his versatile game, particularly his three-point shooting. He was involved in a major trade to the 76ers during the 2018-19 season and subsequently signed a five-year, $180 million contract with Philadelphia in 2019.
The Pistons and Jazz have substantial cap space, with approximately $64.4 million and $38.4 million available, respectively, which is sufficient to pursue Harris as an unrestricted free agent.
In addition to targeting Harris, both teams are focusing on NBA Draft talent. The Jazz, holding the 10th pick, have several options to consider, especially in terms of wing talent. Potential picks include Keyonte George, Ja’Kobe Walter, Nikola Topic, and Ron Holland. The Jazz have made clear their intention to pursue a star this offseason and are open to trading their draft pick if a suitable All-Star becomes available.
The Pistons, with the fifth pick, are viewed as unpredictable. With Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey in their backcourt, they are unlikely to draft another guard. Instead, they might seek frontcourt help unless they decide to move on from Jalen Duren or Isaiah Stewart.