Struggling Eastern Conference team reportedly has interest in Tobias Harris

The Detroit Pistons have won two games out of their first 25. Their slow start to the season has raised questions about Monty Williams' suitability for his role as the team's head coach. 

It's also led to a belief that Detroit will actively look to upgrade their roster before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

In a recent article for The Athletic, James L. Edwards III reported that there has been some behind the scenes chatter regarding a potential move for Tobias Harris of the Philadelphia 76ers. 

"Tobias Harris, who is an unrestricted free agent after this season, is another name the Pistons could target sooner rather than later if he becomes available before the NBA’s February trade deadline," Edwards III wrote.

Harris has been the Sixers' third star for the majority of his tenure with the franchise. In recent years, he has improved his all-around game, most notably his shot selection and wing defense. As such, he's seen as a key component to the Sixers' chances of competing for a championship this season. 

Still, whenever a player is closing in on unrestricted free agency, their team is usually open to potential trade discussions. Daryl Morey would most likely rather move on from Harris now and get something in return instead of losing him for nothing in the summer. 

In the 24 games he's played this season, Harris is averaging 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, shooting 51.5% from the field and 33.8% from 3-point range. 

It's worth noting that Harris is at his best when operating as a tertiary option. Whenever he's been tasked with stepping into a bigger role, he has struggled for consistency and often takes ill-advised shots or struggles to maintain his defensive production.

Detroit would likely use Harris as a scoring option for Cade Cunningham to play off of. Their star guard needs additional help, especially in the half-court. However, before the Pistons make any move to acquire Harris, they will need to ensure he's willing to re-sign with the franchise. 

Detroit isn't in a position to make trades based on immediate needs, regardless of how badly they're struggling at present.

Convincing Harris to move from a contending team to a franchise that is rooted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference will be a hard sell. Detroit may be better served looking for younger talent with more years on their contract. Right now, they are far from an appealing destination.