Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris is on track to become a restricted free agent in July after Harris and the Magic did not reach a contract extension agreement before the 11:59 p.m. Friday deadline, according to an industry source familiar with the situation.
Under the rules of the collective bargaining agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association, teams have until the end of Oct. 31 to reach a contract extension with former first-round picks who have completed three seasons and have had their third- and fourth-year team options exercised.
Harris has said he wants to remain with the Magic long term, and Magic GM Rob Hennigan has said he envisions Harris remaining with the team long term.
In restricted free agency, Harris would be able to sign an offer sheet with another team, but the Magic would have the right to match any offer sheet and keep Harris.
The danger for the Magic is that another team will sign Harris to an offer sheet so expensive that the Magic will not want to match the offer.
On Oct. 23, the Magic finalized a four-year contract extension with center Nik Vucevic that will keep Vucevic under contract through the 2018-19 season.
Vucevic plays a position where there is a shortage of talent.
Harris, on the other hand, plays both forward positions, where there are far more quality players.
Harris, 22, was the 19th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, and he started his career with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Magic acquired him during the 2012-13 season, sending J.J. Redick, Gustavo Ayón and Ish Smith to Milwaukee for Harris, Doron Lamb and Beno Udrih.
Harris started both of the Magic’s games this regular season at small forward.
Josh Robbins covers the Orlando Magic and the NBA for the Orlando Sentinel. You can reach him via e-mail at jbrobbins@tribune.com and connect with him on Facebook at facebook.com/JoshuaBRobbins. Follow him on Twitter at @JoshuaBRobbins.
