The rich keep getting richer. The San Antonio Spurs signed veteran forward Tobias Harris to a two-year, $31 million contract in free agency.
How We Got Here:
The Spurs are coming off a finals appearance in year three of the Victor Wembanyama experience. They were one of the most dominant teams in the league and are at the start of their championship window considering all of the young talent that they have on the roster at the moment.
However, in the finals, they looked like a team that was a bit surprised by the moment. They blew the largest lead in NBA Finals history against the New York Knicks and suffered a couple of other comeback losses. Because of that, it was clear that they still needed to grow but also to bring in a player who has experience in those moments and can provide true veteran leadership for the young players.
His Impact:
The need for a veteran presence in the playoffs is exactly why the Spurs brought in Harris. Last season, he averaged 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while starting all 63 games he appeared in. However, in the playoffs, he elevated his game, averaging 18.1 points and 7.2 rebounds.
This addition will not only give the Spurs a veteran presence who can score on all three levels but also an important chess piece for head coach Mitch Johnson. Harris is a versatile player who can play either forward position, allowing San Antonio to deploy bigger lineups without sacrificing spacing.
Overall, he will do everything a championship team needs: making open shots, defending multiple positions, playing unselfishly, and providing stability every night. Additionally, his two-year deal won’t hinder the Spurs’ window in any way compared to any sort of long-term investment.
This move puts the Spurs even closer to the championship. They made it to the finals last year with one of the youngest teams in the league. Now that they are adding a savvy veteran, they are putting themselves straight back into the conversation for favorites going into next season.
Leave a Reply