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Tobais Harris wants to be a long-term Clipper

By Kenneth Hawkes

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)
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) /
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Tobias Harris wants to be a long-term member of the Los Angeles Clippers according to his father.

Earlier this summer on July 22nd Tobias Harris rejected a $80 Million extension offer from the Los Angeles Clippers. This was a shock to Clipper fans. However, with that kind of contract Harris would have pushed the Clippers into room for only one other max free agent payout. The twenty-six-year-old forward wants to prove his worth to the Clippers organization.

This 2018-2019 season is Harris’ final year on contract, will the Clippers make the move to sign Harris to the max next off-season, or will he fade away in replacement for two other stars?

Family outlook: Tobias’s father comments

Recently, Tobias Harris’s father made comments to The Athletic about the future of Harris revolving around the Clippers organization, “When it’s all said and done, he’s probably going to be a Clipper. [If] everything moves in the right direction, he’ll probably be a long-term Clipper. We’re hoping. That’s what we want.” Torrell Harris is obviously really optimistic regarding the future of Harris’s involvement with the Clippers. He wants Tobias to stay with the Clippers. Everything needs to fall into place for the Clippers organization, right now it is. Jerry West and Lawrence Frank paving the way to greatness. The question is, do they see Tobias Harris in a Clipper uniform next season?

Tobias’s outlook on organization

Tobias Harris feels like he has found his home in the broad spectrum of the NBA. Confidently rejecting the Clippers 80$ Million extension offer, Tobias plans to sign the max 188$ Million five-year deal. Harris hopes his relationship with the Clippers solidifies over the next year, chemistry will have to be at it’s peak this season if he wants to sign the max.

Tobias elucidated his love for the Clippers, “No, I love the whole organization. I love the team. I hope this relationship that we have is long-lasting. But it’s more of just on myself as a player, just pushing myself to see where I’m at at the end of the year. And we’ll go from there. That’s where it was. Both sides, we talked about it and both sides had really good dialogue on that. So it wasn’t nothing. We really were thankful that offer was there.” Harris’s mindset hasn’t shifted anywhere. He wants to be the best he can be. His ability on the court is non-debatable, but his perspective on where he can go is unlimited, he wants to ultimately prove his worth to the NBA not just the Clippers. To be clear, Tobias Harris didn’t fully reject the Clippers extension offer, he impeded the negotiations to become closer with the organization. To draw them in, to make the Clippers think about Harris as a potential long-term asset to the team.

Must Read. Clippers unwilling to give up Harris in Butler deal. light

Affect on the Clippers so far: Stats, Organizational factors, Chemistry

Thus far, Harris’ impact on the Clippers has been tremendous. He is a prodigious figure to this Clippers franchises future. During the 2017-2018 season, Harris proved he could be a star in the NBA; he averaged 18.6 pts and 2.4 ast on and 46% field goal percentage. The impact Harris immaculately illustrated every game for the Clippers was significant in the organization moving forward. It was needed and valued. No one expected Tobias Harris to be that missing piece to the puzzle of the Clippers. Especially after the loss of Blake Griffin, Harris stepped up immensely for the Clippers. Not only are Tobais’ statistics a selling point to the Clippers, but his community impact in LA cannot be reenacted. The outreach to schools, local communities and positive affect Harris has is not match-able. Harris has found his role off the court and on the court. Chemistry wise, Harris has developed meaningful relationships and is ready to set forth a humble roster role. Once again his tenacious and adaptable playing ability creates a perfect style to play on the starting roster. Intense and self-effacing Harris is a perfect fit for the Clippers active roster.

Economic problems for Clippers if resign Harris

In the case that the Clippers front office formulates an effort to give Tobias the full max contract, there will be room for only one max slot. Currently, the Clippers have room for two max free agents next off-season. This money attracts players like Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard, DeMarcus Cousins or even Kyrie Irving who are prospective free agents in the 2019 off-season. If the Clippers end up offering Tobias the full 188$ Million five year contract, one of these free agents could slide up against Harris.

Why we should resign Harris.

In all, Tobias Harris would be a quintessential fit for the Clippers moving forward. He has proven his worth. Any NBA team would be lucky to have his talent and passionate effort every game. Contract wise, Tobias Harris would be worth it, he has the chemistry and top level talent. The fit of him and another star is still to be portrayed.

“When it’s all said and done, he’s probably going to be a Clipper,” said Torrell Harris.

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