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2022 Free Agents - Gary Harris

Summary
Harris had his bet seasons from 2016-2018. During that two season stretch, Harris shot 41% from three and finished really well at the rim, making him one of the most efficient wings in the NBA. In the following years Harris seemed to lose his touch from outside, consistently shooting in the low thirties from three and struggling to finish at the rim as well. However, he has recovered a bit since joining the Magic, including hitting 38% from three in '21-'22, while also finishing at an above-average rate at the rim and overall just looking more spry than he had previously.

Harris probably isn't a starting-level wing on a good team, but I think he can be a solid rotation piece again. Teams would have been very interested in him as a buyout candidate if had been bought out by Orlando. He has solid play-making skills as a secondary option, and can get to the rim attacking off-the-dribble when attacking closeouts.

Harris is a solid wing defender, and getting him back was one of the underrated reasons for why the Nuggets were able to come back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Jazz in the first round of the playoffs in 2020, since they really just couldn't stop the Jazz in the early parts of the series. He's not the biggest guy but has the size to guard multiple positions. Harris will be almost 28 years old as a free agent in 2022, so he's young enough that teams shouldn't be too worried about age-related regression.

 
Cap Considerations
Harris will be an unrestricted free agent with a $31.4 million cap hold and full Bird rights. As his cap hold exceeds the salary he will get in free agency, his cap hold is not really relevant. If the Magic re-sign Harris, his cap hold will be replaced by his starting salary, and the Magic may still have some cap space available depending on his salary and what happens with their other free agents. There's also a chance that the Magic operate over the cap in 2022 and retain their own free agents while having the full Non-Taxpayer MLE and the Bi-Annual Exception to add players.

If Harris demands a starting salary of more than the full $10.3 million Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception, only teams with cap space will be able to sign him, unless a sign-and-trade is worked out. It is possible that Harris could be had for the full MLE or less.

Potential Teams: Lakers, Kings, Hornets, Pacers, Heat

Predicted Contract: 3-year, $20.1 million with the Lakers

Actual Contract: 2-year, $26 million (2nd year non-guaranteed) with the Magic

I'm surprised that Harris re-signed with the rebuilding Magic, but he got paid a solid amount to do so, getting more than any other team could have reasonably offered.

Last updated: 7/1/2022

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