Sports
NBA Rumors: Gary Harris, Magic Agree to New 2-Year, $14M Contract After KCP Deal – Bleacher Report
Gary Harris is returning for a fourth full season with the Orlando Magic.
The veteran shooting guard agreed to a two-year, $14 million contract with the Magic, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
That news dropped one day after ex-Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope agreed to a three-year, $66 million contract with the Magic, per Wojnarowski.
Injuries caused Harris to miss large portions of the Magic’s 2023-24 season.
After missing 14 straight contests in January due to a right calf strain, Harris was periodically sidelined due to injury management reasons for the rest of the regular season.
Although he regularly slotted into the Magic’s starting lineup when available in the final six weeks of the season, Harris’ shooting volume decreased.
Despite shooting 44.1 percent from the field, Harris finished the regular season having averaged just 6.9 points per game.
He averaged 4.2 points in six postseason appearances, while upping his defense to average 1.2 steals and 0.5 blocks.
The Magic’s re-commitment to Harris shows the team believes in his defensive abilities, as well as the possibility he could rebound on offense if able to stay healthy during his age-30 season.
The Magic will also hope Harris continues to serve as a mentor for a franchise that put one of the youngest teams in the league on the court last season.
Point guard Jalen Suggs said in a postgame interview with Bally Sports Florida in March that watching Harris play “really helped me grow this year.”
“He’s been a great mentor,” Suggs said.
The new contract will allow Harris to continue providing that veteran presence for young Magic guards like Anthony Black and Cole Anthony.
