The Spurs have been mostly sitting on their hands since the NBA Finals ended last month. But that could change in a hurry now that John Collins is off the board.
Collins just signed with Detroit, and a lot of people around the league see that as the Pistons lining up a replacement for Tobias Harris. Which means Harris might actually be available. And the Spurs, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer, have him on their radar.
Fischer reported on Marc Stein’s Substack that Harris is “known to be on San Antonio’s list.” He also noted the Spurs are only willing to offer two-year deals using their full midlevel exception of $15 million. That’s not a huge chunk of change, but it’s enough to get a conversation started with a guy who started for a 60-win team last season.
Why Harris makes sense for San Antonio
The Spurs need wing depth. That was obvious during the Finals loss to the Knicks. Harrison Barnes struggled off the bench, and the rotation looked thin when the game sped up. Harris is 32 now but he’s still reliable. He averaged 14 points last season and shot 37 percent from three. He’s not flashy but he’s steady, and that’s exactly what San Antonio could use right now.
Collins signing with Detroit changes the math a little. If the Pistons feel set at power forward, they might let Harris walk. And if Harris wants to stay in the mix with a contender, San Antonio is a logical fit. The Spurs just played for a title. They have a young core that’s only getting better. Adding a veteran who can space the floor and defend multiple positions would help a lot.
Other names in the mix
Fischer also mentioned Rui Hachimura as someone the Spurs have been monitoring. The Lakers forward is a restricted free agent, but Los Angeles has already committed money elsewhere. That could open the door for San Antonio to make a run at him. Hachimura is younger than Harris and brings a different style: more power forward, less perimeter shooting. But the Spurs have shown they like versatile forwards who can play small-ball four.
Either way, it feels like something is brewing. The Spurs have been patient all summer. That might not last much longer.
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