Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 7: Individual Workouts

Going right for the personal question here.

I admit, I have hedged a lot on this question. With statements like: “The Magic will more than likely match” or “Depends what the price is” or “You cannot let a 23-year-old with that talent go for nothing.”

All that is still true. And that will remain my answer.

But let’s say he gets offered a reasonable contract — whatever that is — and the Magic have 72 hours to match. Do I want him back?

My answer is admittedly: No.

The Magic have a lot of guys who need the ball in their hands that I think are going to end up being better players. I like Victor Oladipo a lot as a potential star (or at least a solid second or third option guy) and Elfrid Payton is the point guard for this team. Both of those guys need to continue improving their jump shots to get to that level.

Harris just seems like the odd man out. He seems not to fit the core of what they are building. And it is because Harris does not have many other skills besides scoring. And despite his 17-point-per-game average, Harris does not score efficiently.

So you have a pretty good — not great — young player who needs the ball in his hands to be successful. If Harris continues to improve his 3-point shooting, my tune might change.

But Harris is not part of the long-term core for me. At some point you need to move on and start developing these players to win. Harris might be holding back a player like Oladipo from really taking over.

Should the Magic let him walk this summer? Now I am back to hedging, because I do not think they should.

So, my final answer: I do not see Harris as part of this team’s long-term future.

Next: The 2015 Cap Situation