LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 27: Tobias Harris #34 of the LA Clippers handles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 27, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Rumor: Tobias Harris ‘would be interested’ in joining Utah Jazz
In a recent podcast, David Locke mentioned a rumor that LA Clippers forward Tobias Harris had expressed interest in joining the Utah Jazz.
Although the Utah Jazz historically have been known as a team that struggles to attract talent in free agency, recently that trend has seemed to be changing. When Joe Johnson agreed to join the Jazz in the offseason of 2016, it came as an enormous surprise. Sure, Iso Joe was well past his prime at that point, but for a player of his reputation to come to Utah was still pretty epic.
The following summer following the aftermath of the Gordon Hayward departure, not only have there been rumors that the Jazz missed out on a chance to sign some guys who were indeed interested in coming to Utah, but they also still got recognizable vets Thabo Sefolosha and Jonas Jerebko. While neither of them were star free agents, they were still talented players that were more than happy to come to Utah and have seemed to only thrive and enjoy their time there.
Because of the excellent front office that Dennis Lindsey has created, Utah’s phenomenal development program and the excellent coaching of Quin Snyder and Co., the Jazz have recently become much more appealing than in years past. Throw in the promising rookie season of the extremely likable Donovan Mitchell and the lockdown defense of Rudy Gobert, and all of a sudden the Jazz have themselves quite the attractive core.
With that being the case, don’t be surprised to find more and more free agents and draft prospects down the road that are open and eager to come join the Utah Jazz. As their basketball reputation increases and continues to outweigh the negative small market perception that Salt Lake City sometimes carries to the general public, the Jazz will become a much more favorable destination.
We’ve already seen that in this summer’s pre-draft workouts as the Jazz have been able to bring in some exceptional talent to work out for them. Earlier this season, former Chicago Bull Nikola Mirotic expressed a desire to join the Utah Jazz, and current players on the roster have shown nothing but love and admiration for the city and organization.
And according to a recent Locked on Jazz Podcast from the radio voice of the Jazz David Locke, there’s another intriguing name that is rumored to have interest in joining Utah’s ranks. That player is none other than the LA Clippers’ Tobias Harris.
While speaking of interest in Utah growing throughout the league, David Locke stated the following in his podcast from Friday, June 8th–
“I’ve even heard some other names of players, rumors that Tobias Harris would be interested. So it’s suddenly, it’s not outlandish that a player wants to come play here (in Utah).”
If this rumor is true, it’s one that Jazz fans should be extremely excited about. Although Harris is signed through the end of the 2018-19 season, he would be an absolutely phenomenal pickup for the Jazz. Hypothetically, if he was truly interested in joining the Jazz as Locke said, Utah could aim to make a trade for him this season, but I have a hard time seeing the Clippers dealing the guy that was their main prize in the Blake Griffin trade unless they’re planning to go full rebuild mode.
Assuming that trading for him is off the table, though, the timing couldn’t be better for when his contract expires. The Jazz have been meticulous with their contracts to ensure that they have ample cap space heading into the 2019 offseason, which is exactly when Harris will hit unrestricted free agency. If there is mutual interest, there’s a great chance the Jazz could then sign him at that point.
And Harris could very well prove to be the missing link for the Jazz. He’s gone somewhat under the radar to casual NBA fans, but he’s an exceptional player. He averaged 18.6 points per game last season between his time with the Clippers and Detroit Pistons, including a career-high 19.3 per game in his 32 contests in LA. During that stretch, he shot over 41 percent from three.
At six-foot-nine, 235 pounds, Harris is the perfect prototype to play the stretch-four position, making him a potentially incredible fit with the Jazz. Not only can he knock down the three-ball, but he’s a versatile offensive player, capable of creating and hitting his own shot. His field goal percentage of 47.3 percent as a Clipper this past season is evidence of his ability to knock down shots efficiently aside from just beyond the perimeter.
He’s also a solid defender with room to improve on an excellent Jazz team. His size and lateral quickness give him the ability to cover multiple positions, once again making him exactly the kind of player the Jazz are looking for. Everything from his skill set, style and personality seems like a match made in heaven with this Jazz team. If the rumor pronounced by David Locke that he’s interested in coming to Utah is also true, then he’s almost a guy the Jazz can’t afford to pass up.
The Jazz have been seeking a playmaking power forward, and given the success Tobias Harris has had throughout his career filling that exact role, it’s no stretch to say that he could be Utah’s third star alongside Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert to help propel the Jazz to another level.
However, unless the Clippers are willing to deal him and the Jazz view it prudent to trade for him now (neither of which I feel is likely), it’s most probable that an opportunity to add him to their ranks won’t surface until the summer of 2019 once he hits free agency.
Still, the fact that he’s purportedly shown interest in joining the Jazz is a great sign and makes him a future free agent target that Utah Jazz fans will definitely want to keep their eyes on moving forward.
