The Indiana Pacers likely will need to pay Tobias Harris — or any notable free agent — more than market value. The question is by how much.
The Indiana Pacers might be in need of the services of a small forward depending on how things work out with Bojan Bogdanovic this summer, and if so, they should be interested in Tobias Harris.
And according to recent reports, the Pacers are in fact looking Harris’ way.
The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey reported on Tuesday that league sources indicate Harris isn’t entirely happy with the way things went with the Philadelphia 76ers. Along with being underutilized, Harris reportedly is looking for a team with less volatile chemistry.
"In addition to opportunity, pursuit of an NBA title and a max contract, Harris, a high-character guy, longs to play for a squad with a great chemistry. The Sixers had some chemistry issues this season."
Chemistry has been a huge factor in the Victor Oladipo era of the Pacers so it is possible that along with Indiana’s cap space this summer, the interest might be mutual.
Harris averaged 20 points between the Los Angeles Clippers and 76ers last season while also finding time to grab 7.9 rebounds and hand out 2.9 assists. Along with his career 36.4% average from beyond the arc, he might be the playmaker the Pacers need.
He isn’t afraid to shoot from any distance and more importantly, effective no matter where he shoots. While his mid-range shooting is around the league average, he gets more out of his trips to the paint and his attempts from beyond the arc than most of the league.
And at 26 years old, Harris is in the prime of his career.
There are other teams vying for his services as well, meaning the price for Harris likely isn’t cheap. On top of that, when David West is one of your best free agent signings in recent memory, it is fair to say Indiana isn’t a premier free agent destination.
So what should the Pacers do if they want to see Tobias in a Pacers uniform next season?
How much money is Tobias Harris worth to the Pacers?
Harris makes $14.8 million before heading into free agency. His stats say he’s earned a raise, but the hard part is figuring out how much.
There’s talk of him getting a max deal, which could be two different amounts and years depending on if it is the 76ers or another team offering it. Philadelphia can offer his a 5-year, $188 million deal thanks to having his Bird rights. Every other NBA team can go as high as $141 million over 4 years.
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While paying Harris $35.25 million is more than I’d want to offer him, the Pacers do need another scoring threat. As much as we appreciate defense (Tobias is a solid defender, for what it’s worth) and analytics, raw scoring is undervalued in many conversations about a player’s worth. As we saw in the playoffs this season, not everyone is capable of creating their own offense.
So how close to a max deal should Indiana be willing to pay? It depends on the landscape that Pritchard and the front office sees before them.
If Harris is the only notable free agent they can snag, then paying extra to get his scoring isn’t such a bad idea. It helps having Oladipo on a below-market deal and Turner on a favorable one — especially if his offense improves. Front loading a Harris contract and worrying about paying Oladipo, Turner, and Domantas Sabonis In their next deals isn’t a bad idea.
Considering Bogdanovic is the highest scoring free agent the Pacers have signed in a long time — if not ever.
But if they are in the running for Kemba Walker or perhaps in the trade market for Mike Conley or Jrue Holiday, they might consider making their offer to Harris and living with the result of the market for him really is the max.
In a vacuum, pat Harris the money he wants. Indiana doesn’t have a great history of adding scorers in free agency. However, if there’s a better option or a combination that allows Indiana to add scoring and playmaking, then Harris isn’t as much of a priority for the Pacers.
The Pacers might not want to give a player like Tobias Harris the max salary, but they must be willing to pay a little more than most teams would if they want him playing in Indiana next season.