When stardom is not measured by applause, but by zeros in the account
Artemy Berstenev July 2, 2024, 14:00 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
The effect of Tobias Harris, who amassed an impressive fortune in the NBA: 300 million dollars.
Tobias Harris, who has long been the face of Philadelphia, decided to move on and signed a contract with Detroit. A two-year, $52 million deal capped his status as an unrestricted free agent. After five-plus seasons with the Sixers, Harris will now contribute to the Pistons, where his veteran experience can be invaluable among young prospects. And yes, this contract will boost his earnings to over $300 million, which is pretty good for a guy who has never played in an All-Star Game.
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Harris may have been criticized for his playoff performance, but he was relatively reliable for Philadelphia during the regular season, averaging 17.6 points per game, nearly seven rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting nearly half of his field goals and 36.9 percent from three. But in the final playoff series with New York, his play deteriorated noticeably: averaging just nine points per game on a disastrous 43.1 percent shooting, and in the deciding sixth game, he failed to score a point. This only added fuel to the fire of those who doubted his ability to perform in key moments.
The forward is returning to Detroit, where he already played three seasons. There he won’t be burdened by the weight of expectations like he was in Philadelphia. What about the Sixers? They replaced him with Paul George, which feels like refreshing the playlist before a long road trip. The Pistons are resetting right now, having recently fired Monty Williams and handed the keys to the team to JB Bickerstaff, who previously coached Cleveland. The Pistons also extended the contract of No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft, Cade Cunningham. That’s it.
Detroit fell into a historic hole last season with a dismal 14-68 record and a 28-game losing streak. It was an absolute anti-record for the club that, despite its promising newcomers, couldn’t put together a winning combination. Now with Trajan Langdon at the helm of basketball operations, the Pistons are hinting at big changes. Don’t expect them to take off immediately next season, but after saying goodbye to Troy Weaver, the team is giving signs that it is willing to change course.
Tobias Harris, 2023/2024 season
Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Here’s an interesting draft fact: Harris and Isaiah Thomas were drafted in the same year: 2011. Thomas, a two-time All-Star and second-team All-Star, has never seen more than $7.2 million a year. But Harris made $220 million more than Isaiah. And this despite the fact that Thomas was on the verge of signing a max contract when he led Boston to the top and scored 29 points per game in the 2016-2017 season. But then, as luck would have it, he injured his hip and all plans went up in smoke.
Unlike Thomas, Harris avoided serious injuries, allowing him to remain at a high level and receive the corresponding salary. He is a reliable starter for any NBA team, while Thomas, forced to take on the role of first option or backup scorer, was left vulnerable on defense and hampered by an unfortunate injury. Harris can be compared to a financial illusionist: much noise, few results, but his bank account says otherwise. Without a single All-Star appearance and no press coverage, Harris has amassed a net worth of $300 million and while everyone around him is excited about his performance in the playoffs, his stats look even better there than in the regular season meetings. This is the paradox.
Tobias, despite the lack of attention from the press and fans, has become one of the highest-paid players in the league, which speaks to his ability to maximize his income without being in the public eye. He could be a key contributor for Detroit next season, using his experience to bolster younger players and help the team return to success. If Harris can bring his consistency and confidence to a young roster, the Pistons could find a path to new heights. The forward may be invisible to the press, but his earnings are pure magic.
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