10-Year Veteran Guard Signs Deal with the Magic
Many were extremely surprised this season to see a young Orlando Magic team bolster their way up as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Some doubted that this team was playoff-ready, nonetheless, they proved the doubters wrong and put up a hardnose-fought battle with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first round of the playoffs. Although they lost in seven games, the future is bright in Orlando. Role player Gary Harris has had a tough time bouncing his career back on track since being traded to Magic from the Denver Nuggets back during the 2020-2021 season. As a 10-year veteran, he’s helped the younger guys on this Magic team grow to become playoff-ready. Now as a free agent, Harris signed a two-year, $14 million deal with the Magic.
After two seasons at the University of Michigan, Harris declared for the 2014 NBA Draft. He ended up being the 19th overall pick being selected by the Chicago Bulls, but the Bulls would trade the future 10-year veteran to the Denver Nuggets. Harris was a Nugget for six and a half seasons. Although his time on the floor increased, his scoring numbers did not. That was the ultimate downfall, as the Nuggets depended on Harris to be their starting shooting guard of the future. He was traded to the Magic back in the 2020-2021 season. During his first two seasons in Orlando, he averaged 10 points or more, but his scoring totals have dropped these past two seasons averaging eight and seven points a game respectively the last two years.
In 54 games played and in 27 starts, Harris averaged about 24 minutes on the court a game. The 10-year veteran put up just about seven points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal. His seven points a game was his lowest scoring average since his rookie season. He dropped a season-high of 17 points on October 30th during a 106-103 loss against the Los Angeles Lakers.
