Tobias Harris and his coach, Stan Van Gundy, have something in common: they are both Orlando Magic cast-offs. In May 2012, Van Gundy was fired by the Magic after 5 seasons coaching the team. At this seasons trade deadline, Harris was traded to the Detroit Pistons by the Magic. The truth is though, Harris has been great in Detroit, and he and Van Gundy are looking to make a playoff push. Orlando is not in any shape to do that this season.
Before Harris’ first game against the Magic in his career wednesday night, he was asked if he was mad that Orlando traded him. The Orlando Sentinel’s Josh Robbins reported that he isn’t.
“I’m not mad at Orlando for the trade,” Harris said Tuesday. “Actually, if I was to sit here and be upset, that would be selfish, wouldn’t it? All they did was put me in an amazing situation. Truthfully, I thank them for that. I mean, I loved my time there, but business is business, and I think being here has been great for me.”
Harris is right, he has been a great in Detroit. Since being traded, the Pistons are 10-7 and 10-5 with him starting. The Magic, on the other hand, have gone just 6-12 since the trade. With the Magic, Harris averaged just 13 PPG, but with the Pistons, he has scored better, averaging a solid 16 PPG. He has also been able to play more minutes with the Pistons than he did for the Magic.
Van Gundy also sees that the Pistons are an improved team with Harris.
“Offensively, we’ve improved,” Van Gundy said. “He’s played very well and very efficiently for us. I think guys enjoy playing with him. He’s unselfish. He moves the ball. But, and this is true of all of our guys, he’s got to do a lot better job at the defensive end of the floor.”
Harris has been great for the young Pistons offensively, but he needs to improve his defense. He is still young, so he will have time to improve. The Pistons easily won this trade in the short term, but the Magic were able to make more salary-cap space so that they can sign a big name free agent this summer potentially. Both teams may have had benefits in the trade, but Detroit seems better off with the young nucleus of Reggie Jackson, Andre Drummond, and Harris.
