The Milwaukee Bucks are always looking to make trades to improve the roster, and that will remain the case this coming NBA season. In their endeavor to tweak things, recent signee Gary Harris feels like he will be among those on the chopping block sooner rather than later, given his affordable $3.6 million salary and unlikelihood to play a major role.
Given that training camp hasn't even opened yet, that may seem outlandish, but it's worth keeping an eye on.
Gary Harris will likely be a trade candidate for the Milwaukee Bucks
The Harris signing has been a weird one from the beginning, especially since they pounced on him so early into free agency. After one of his least-productive seasons to date - averaging three points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game last year - teams weren't exactly lining up to sign Harris. Yet, the Bucks clearly liked what they saw and pounced on the opportunity.
After signing with the Bucks in free agency, Harris cannot be traded until December 15. That means he will have a few months to prove himself to open the season. Yet, given the roster construction, that may be hard to come by. Harris won't be earning minutes ahead of AJ Green, Gary Trent Jr., Taurean Prince, or anyone in Milwaukee's point guard trio, so he will more than likely just be a depth piece.
Harris' situation feels similar to that of Rodney Hood a few years ago. The veteran wing was a low-risk reclamation project for the Milwaukee Bucks, given a chance to prove himself. However, Hood failed to make an impression and was swiftly dealt at the NBA Trade Deadline. If Harris cannot get on the floor and make an impact, history could repeat itself here.
The difference between Hood and Harris is that the Milwaukee Bucks gave Harris a player option for a second year with the team, while Hood got just a one-year deal. Given how poor of a year he just had, a player option is a bold inclusion from the Bucks. It's worth $3.8 million, so it wouldn't break the bank for opposing teams, but it still may turn some teams off if they are looking to keep their books open.
The Milwaukee Bucks clearly like what they see in Gary Harris. Even with his poor showing last year, Harris is a nice, seasoned voice for the locker room. If he does earn minutes, perhaps the change of scenery could also help reawaken some of his two-way capabilities as a marksman from distance and a quality defender. If not, he will be on the trade block.
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