Age matters, but…
A key piece in a potential debate between Randle and Harris is that Randle is over two years younger than Harris, which is probably a very big selling point for James Jones and the Suns’ executive staff as they look to build a roster who will not only begin to compete right away, but contend for many years to come.
Statistically though, they are remarkably similar.
Phoenix Suns
Randle edged Harris in both scoring, rebounds, and assists at 21.4 to 20.0 points per game, 8.7 to 7.9 rebounds per game, and 3.1 to 2.8 assists per game, respectively.
The gap between the two statistically widens even more when placing a per-36min lens on the two as Harris averaged 4.1 more minutes per game than Randle.
However, while individual season-long averages are highly variable depending on system, role, and surrounding talent, Randle only last season added a 3-point shot averaging 34.4% on 2.7 attempts per game after previously averaging just 25.7% on 0.6 attempts per game his first four seasons.
Tobias Harris, on the other hand, has been a legitimate stretch-four for the last five years, averaging an insane 39.7% on 4.8 attempts last season (43.4% on 4.7 attempts in 55 games with the L.A. Clippers prior to his deadline trade to Philadelphia), and 37.7% over the last five years on 4.2 attempts per game.
As Phoenix Suns fans are both hopeful but not sure that T.J. Warren‘s sudden addition of an outside shot last season will continue, fans should be equally as caution when projecting Randle’s future as a stretch-four, but remain resolute that Harris will maintain this style of play for the foreseeable future.