Report: Detroit Pistons Offered Tobias Harris A Max Contract
By Dan Jenkins
@DanTJenkins
The Detroit Pistons may have come closer to signing Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris than some fans think.
Joe Kepner of WFTV in Orlando says sources told him the Pistons -- along with the Boston Celtics and New Orleans Pelicans -- offered Harris a maximum contract before the restricted free agent decided to return to the Orlando Magic.
Source tells me BOS, DET, NO all offered Tobias Harris max. SAC even submitted max offer sheet. Turned all down to stay with @OrlandoMagic.
— Joe Kepner (@JoeKepner) July 5, 2015
The maximum contract would have been a four-years, $67 million deal.
The Pistons and the Celtics emerged as frontrunners to sign the fifth-year forward out of Tennessee earlier in free agency, according to a report from RealGM.
The 22-year-old agreed to return to Orlando on a four-year, $64 million contract.
The 6-foot-9, 235 pound Harris averaged 17.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in Orlando last season and was regarded as one of the top forwards in free agency this season.
The Pistons acquired forward Marcus Morris from the Phoenix Suns -- along with Reggie Bullock and Danny Granger -- for a 2020 second round draft pick to fill the team's need at small forward.