What will happen to Gary Harris?
Tim Connelly and Michael Malone can sing the praises of Gary Harris all day long, but I’m not buying it. While I love Harris about as much as anyone — I think he can turn into an elite three-and-D guard that could start on just about any team in the NBA — the Nuggets aren’t drafting Jamal Murray with the intention of turning him into a sixth man. More importantly, they’re not considering trading up to No. 3 to draft Murray and turn him into a sixth man.
The Nuggets envision Murray as the long-term backcourt partner of Emmanuel Mudiay, and at some point, that’s exactly what he’ll be.
So what happens to Gary?
He could take on a sixth-man role, but honestly, I think that’s a misuse of his talents. And I think other teams will feel the same way.
It may not be this offseason — though it very well could be — but I would guess that Harris ends up being included in a trade package that brings a bigger name to Denver, Colorado. And I wouldn’t be surprised if the over-the-top compliments of Gary Harris’ work ethic and improvement this offseason from Malone and Connelly aren’t, at least in part, a tactic to help increase his trade value.
And I think he’s worth a lot.
Before the draft, I would have almost called Harris un-tradable — that’s how much I like the guy. But with Murray looking like the clear long-term answer at two, and with significantly higher offensive upside, if the Nuggets can bring an All-Star to the Mile High City by unloading Gary, I do it.
