NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 18: Tobias Harris #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets during game three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on April 18, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Brooklyn Nets fans went from wondering if their team will be any good this year, to gearing up for a franchise-altering offseason.
It didn’t seem like the Brooklyn Nets were going to do much heading into last season. Eight months later the franchise is hot off a playoff berth and is in line to land one of the top free agents hitting the market this summer.
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving have both gone from barely in the conversation for Brooklyn to legitimate targets. Don’t read too much into the Knicks reportedly wanting to go hard after Kawhi Leonard, but it doesn’t take much twisting of the narrative to see that as New York setting up contingency plans for when one of their big targets lands in Brooklyn.
Brooklyn isn’t only in on names at the top of the marquee. According to Michael Scotto of The Athletic, there appears to be mutual interest between Tobias Harris and the Nets.
Harris has been an incredible player for the last few years, but only really started grabbing national attention when he landed in Philadelphia. His stint with the Magic went largely unappreciated, and his time with the Clippers was more of a reintroduction to his talents. What Harris did as one of the key pieces of the Sixers core this year was proof that he’s been overlooked as a high key contributor on a title contending team.
What makes it even more incredible is the fact he was only in Philly for half a season.
Harris in Brooklyn helps fortify a roster that is already good enough to contend in the East and is only going to get better. Even if the Nets strike out on the likes of Durant, Kyrie, and others, landing Harris is a huge upgrade that will help the next evolution of one of the Eastern Conference’s most fascinating teams.