Why Tobias Harris Still Matters in Detroit - And Why the Pistons Might Not Trade Him After All
Tobias Harris has been a fixture in trade rumors all season, and on paper, it makes sense. He’s 33 years old, on an expiring $26 million contract, and the Detroit Pistons are clearly building for the future.
In a rebuilding year, veterans on expiring deals usually don’t stick around long. But Harris isn't just another name on the trade block - he’s been one of the few steadying forces on a young team still learning how to win.
And that’s where the conversation starts to shift.
The Value of Stability
Let’s get one thing straight: Harris isn’t putting up All-Star numbers, and he’s not the long-term answer at power forward. But that doesn’t mean he’s expendable. In fact, he’s been one of the Pistons’ most reliable contributors this season - both in the box score and in the locker room.
He’s averaging his usual 14 points and five rebounds per game, numbers that may not jump off the page but have been consistent throughout his career. And more importantly, he’s been a veteran presence on a roster that desperately needs one.
Head coach JB Bickerstaff has referred to Harris as the team’s “security blanket,” and it’s easy to see why. When the offense gets stagnant - which, let’s be honest, happens a lot with this group - Harris is often the one they turn to for a steady bucket or a calming possession.
He’s not just filling a role; he’s filling a void.
Shooting, Spacing, and the Stretch Four Dilemma
One of the biggest needs for Detroit has been a stretch four who can space the floor and knock down threes. Harris has quietly started to check that box.
Over the past stretch of games, he’s shooting 40 percent from deep on 4.5 attempts per game - a noticeable uptick in his catch-and-shoot efficiency. If that shooting holds, it changes the conversation.
Because let’s be real - who exactly are the Pistons going to get that’s a clear upgrade at the four?
Lauri Markkanen is the dream target for many fans, but prying him loose would cost a significant chunk of Detroit’s young core, and that’s assuming he’s even available. Beyond him, the list of high-volume, floor-spacing power forwards is thin. Harris might not be elite in that category, but he’s doing enough to make the need less urgent.
The Trade Deadline Question
When Harris first rejoined the Pistons, it felt like a foregone conclusion that he’d be flipped at the deadline. His expiring deal made him a prime candidate for teams looking to add a veteran scorer without long-term financial commitment. But as the season has unfolded, it’s become clear that Detroit values what he brings beyond the stat sheet.
And they’re not just going to move him for the sake of getting something back.
Trading Harris for a player who doesn’t fill his position - even if that player is more talented - could leave the Pistons with a gaping hole at power forward. Right now, he’s the only true four on the roster. Moving him without a clear replacement would be a step backward, especially for a team still trying to find its footing.
What Comes Next
Could Harris still be moved? Sure.
The NBA trade deadline always brings surprises, and Detroit will listen to offers. But the idea that Harris must be traded just to avoid losing him for nothing is oversimplified.
He’s giving the Pistons real value right now - as a scorer, a shooter, and a leader.
There’s even a world where he finishes the season in Detroit, signs a short-term extension, and becomes a bridge veteran as the Pistons’ young core continues to develop. It’s not the most headline-grabbing outcome, but it might be the smartest one.
For now, Tobias Harris remains a key piece of what the Pistons are trying to build - not just a trade chip. And as long as he keeps delivering on the floor and in the locker room, Detroit has every reason to hold onto him.