Spurs land free agent power forward Tobias Harris on two-year deal

Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris, left, drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

The Spurs have reached their first agreement with an outside free agent this offseason, coming to terms with veteran forward Tobias Harris on a two-year deal worth $31 million, a league source confirmed Wednesday.

Harris, who turns 34 later this month, spent the past two NBA campaigns in Detroit. He averaged 13.3 points and 5.5 rebounds while starting 63 games last season.

The Spurs awarded Harris the lion’s share of their free agent budget hoping he can provide veteran depth and rebounding at the power forward position.

A 2011 first-round pick who began his career in Milwaukee, the 6-foot-8 Harris also has stops with Orlando, the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia on his resume. In addition, Harris had one previous stint in Detroit from 2015-2018.

The best of Harris’ 16 NBA seasons came in 2018-19, when he played in all 82 games split between the 76ers and Clippers and averaged 20.9 points and 7.9 rebounds.

Spurs general manager Brian Wright boasts some familiarity with Harris, having been a member of the front office in Orlando and in Detroit during Harris’ first tour of duty there.

Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff had high praise for Harris during the Eastern Conference playoffs.

“From Day 1, all he did was pour himself into each and every individual on our team,” Bickerstaff told reporters in May. “He just gives and gives and gives.”

“He is dependable, reliable, prepared for the moment. He’s a leader. He’s a great teammate. He’s a great human being. He’s a high-level competitor.”

Harris is set to become the Spurs’ first veteran addition since making this year’s NBA Finals. Their other moves so far this offseason involved retaining important pieces of their Western Conference championship roster — a three-year, $45-million extension for forward Julian Champagnie and a one-year, $8-million deal for forward Harrison Barnes.

Champagnie has already been able to sign his contract, since it is an extension to a previously existing deal. Under NBA rule, Barnes and Harris must wait until the new league year begins Monday.

Harris’ addition will give the Spurs 13 players under standard contract — assuming first-round picks Jayden Quaintance and Tarris Reed. Jr. are signed to rookie-scale deals — and leaves two spots left to fill on the 15-man roster.