Orlando Magic

Reporter: Magic must sign re-sign 'potential superstar' Tobias Harris

Published Jul. 1, 2015 1:22 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Magic have been stuck in the Paul Millsap rumors, meaning they might be considering free-agent Tobias Harris a lost cause. But that doesn't mean they shouldn't be doing everything they can to sign a 22-year-old with huge potential.

Mike Bianchi explains at the Orlando Sentinel:

Harris averaged 17.1 points and 6.3 rebounds per game this past season while shooting a career-best 36 percent from long range.

(H/t to Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel.)

With the NBA free agent signing period officially beginning today, there is one overwhelming reason why the Orlando Magic must retain restricted free agent Tobias Harris:

Because what happens if they don't?

What happens if Tobias Harris goes to another team and becomes a superstar?

What happens if he joins the likes of Shaq, T-Mac, Dwight, Ben Wallace, Chauncey Billups, etc., etc. as great players the Magic once had but somehow let get away.

It's common knowledge that if you want to win a championship in the NBA, you need at least one superstar on your roster. If you ask me, Tobias Harris is the only the player the Magic now have who you could envision morphing into a transcendent player. I'm not saying he will and other won't, I'm just saying that by my eye test it's Harris who has the best chance of any player the Magic currently have in their stable.

We had basketball analytics gurus Dr. Stephen Shea, a New Hampshire mathematics professor, on our Open Mike radio show a few months ago and he called Harris "the most underrated player in the NBA." In his blog on the website, "Basketball Analytics," Shea wrote that "Statistically, Harris stands among some of the game's biggest stars."

Shea said Harris stands among the best of the league's VFs (versatile forwards) -- frontcourt players who can shoot 3s, drive, rebound and defend.

Shea wrote in his blog last season, "Only six players averaged at least 15 points and 6 rebounds per game, while also shooting 35% (on at least two 3-point attempts per game.) Only six VFs met these minimum requirements."