Division rival Houston Rockets linked to Tobias Harris as free agent

The Houston Rockets spent big money in free agency last summer, which could lead to their Southwest division rival signing one of the best forwards on the market in 2024. A source told Inside the Rockets from Sports Illustrated that the Dallas Mavericks are one of three teams targeting Tobias Harris in free agency.

Several factors will influence Harris’ decision. His primary goal when looking for an “ideal situation” is to find a team that “goes to win” and will allow him to flourish.

Harris’ usage percentage of 19.1 over his final two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers was the lowest since his first year with the Milwaukee Bucks. But despite this decline, his production on the field has not declined. He averaged a combined 15.9 points on 49.3% shooting, 37.3% from behind the arc and 6.1 rebounds.

“He wants to join a really good team that has a culture of winning basketball,” a source familiar with the matter said. “He’s such an unselfish player who puts the team first. Tobias is a winner.”

The versatile two-way forward would be an ideal fit in Dallas, given that the Mavericks’ All-Star backcourt of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving has produced usage percentages of 35.5 and 27.4, respectively, during the 2023-24 season.

The Mavericks are coming off a run to the NBA Finals, which also saw the franchise’s fourth 50-win season since winning its championship in 2011.

Winning will remain Harris’ primary goal during free agency. However, when it comes to a rebuilding team, there is no situation he ignores. According to the source, the Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz are also targeting Harris.

Harris’ influence on a rebuilding franchise will be similar to that of Fred VanVleet, who joined the Rockets on a three-year max contract last summer. VanVleet’s production on and off the court helped the Rockets go 41-41, their most successful season after three straight years of basketball purgatory.

Harris’ leadership and mentorship are qualities sought after by a rebuilding franchise. He demonstrated that leadership during his six years in Philadelphia, where he also helped Tyrese Maxey establish himself in the NBA.

Harris played two and a half seasons with the Pistons and views the franchise as a good fit because of his experience in the community and the relationships he built during his previous tenure.

The 76ers acquired Harris in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers in February 2019. Although his tenure with the franchise is coming to an end, Harris will remain grateful for his time in Philadelphia.

He played a vital role in helping the franchise establish itself as a contender – averaging 17.6 points and 6.6 rebounds in 378 career games.

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