The Detroit Pistons are stuck in offseason limbo with the myriad of concerns surrounding free agent Malik Beasley. It has forced an up-and-coming core to sit and patiently wait for the correct avenue to present itself. While the most important pieces of the Pistons' future remain intact, there haven't been any blockbuster moves suggesting there will be drastic improvement. With this in mind, it is still very much on the table that the Pistons could become a player in the offseason trade market. Looking at potential contracts, Detroit could opt to include in potential deals one veteran option that stands out.
Tobias Harris returning to the Pistons was a fun story that helped develop the team's young core and helped ease scoring concerns. However, there is no denying that Harris is clearly aging and not the consistent scorer he has been in seasons past.
There are moments when he might appear to be the best player in the lineup, only to completely disappear the next night. Harris is being paid top dollar considering his skill level, making it clear it is time to move on if the right deal presents itself.
The Pistons Must Consider Trading Tobias Harris
Harris is scheduled as a $26 million cap hit on a roster built around young talent, and the veteran no longer fits. While Harris can still be a part of the team's rotation, it would be ideal if the Pistons are able to find an upgrade that allows the team to offload the remainder of the deal. With the league's trade rules, this is far easier suggested than accomplished.
It is simply a move the team should continue to explore as a quiet offseason continues. This doesn't mean trading Harris and other assets for a star; it could be as simple as opening up future cap to pay your core pieces and adding more bench depth in return. While this will be difficult to accomplish with the salaries and the lack of market for Harris, it isn't completely off the table.
For Detroit, the franchise needs to embrace just how wide open the Eastern Conference has become. There isn't a reason not to attempt to do everything within the team's power to make a push for contention. With Cade Cunningham getting better each year, the franchise has its star and a defensive core that is going to be miserable for any contender to play in a series. All continuing to make the obvious point that Tobias Harris could be on his way out.