With the Los Angeles Lakers set for an offseason full of spending, questions have started to arise about who some of their potential targets could be. It’s well known at this moment that Austin Reaves will likely return to Cali this summer and continue his tenure with the purple and gold. Outside of him, there have been some hints on who LA might pursue, including Tobias Harris.
The idea behind targeting Harris this summer was to find someone who could be a veteran floor spacer alongside Luka Doncic. Harris has been a reliable shooter over his 15-year career, with a career 3-point percentage of 36.6.
After a strong playoff run with Detroit that saw him be in a second option role, it appears the Detroit Pistons' desire to retain him has never been higher. During his end-of-season presser, Pistons Trajan Langdon was asked about Harris' future in the 313, with him set to hit unrestricted free agency, and he made it clear there is interest in retaining him.
Trajan Langdon on Tobias Harris: “His approach and professionalism has been huge in terms of us establishing the environment we have in the past two years… They call him Unc for a reason… We hope that we can bring him back. He’s somebody we want to keep in a Pistons uniform.” pic.twitter.com/TxE5nDRuP2
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) May 19, 2026
“He’s somebody we want to keep in a Pistons uniform,” said Langdon. Hearing the Pistons front office openly express interest in re-upping with Harris, the Lakers' chances of signing him have slimmed.
Tobias Harris may no longer be a realistic target for the Lakers
Harris spent time with the Pistons from 2016-2018 before returning to the organization during the 2024 offseason. Unlike his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, Harris is extremely beloved in Detroit and by the Pistons fan base, and it appears that the feeling is mutual.
With him entering the twilight of his NBA career, the idea that Harris would reroute his life to LA, especially with Detroit having interest in re-signing him, seems unlikely.
If the Pistons were in the place they were a few seasons ago, sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, a move would make sense. Now, Harris has a great shot at still competing for a championship in Detroit. It may even be a better chance than he would have in LA.
This isn’t all bad for Rob Pelinka and the Lakers. When you factor in that Harris will be 34 years old at the start of next season, a drop-off is likely coming.
With Doncic as the centerpiece for the next decade of Lakers basketball, finding players who can both fit now and down the road should be the key. Harris would be no more than a short-term rental.
Given that Harris was Detroit’s only consistent source of offense outside of Cade Cunningham in the playoffs, his price tag could be higher than it should be. If he’s sitting in that $20+ million annually range this summer, Pelinka and company should absolutely steer clear. To some, missing out on Harris may sting. It ultimately shouldn’t. He isn’t a perfect fit for the Lakers by any means.
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