3 Orlando Magic players ready for a bigger role
By Luke Duffy
3 Orlando Magic players ready for a bigger role
2. Gary Harris
After missing the start of the season through injury, Gary Harris has returned and flown under the radar. He averages the seventh most minutes per night (25.8), and interestingly has kind of taken Terrence Ross’ role (10th, 23.9 minutes) on this roster as his own.
Harris leads the Magic in 3-point shooting, a scorching 43.5 percent on 3.8 attempts per night, with Ross coming in just behind at 38.5 percent on 4.2 attempts per game. We continue to mention Ross here because the two are closely linked, and their skill sets mirror one another.
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Both are ideal trade candidates in the future as well, although Ross is the needed veteran leader of this young group. Which is why it makes complete sense for Harris to see the court more. He can boost his trade value, and help the Orlando Magic to win some games while he’s at it.
The Magic shoot 33.5 percent from deep as a team. Give Gary Harris more shots and a bit more run with floor spacers like Bol Bol and Mo Bamba, and that number is sure to increase. He has barely had any time next to Markelle Fultz either, a point guard who is always going to find him when open.
On paper, there is no reason why Harris should not have an increased role going forward. He helps the franchise in the present, and he can help them in the future if he is traded for an asset of some kind. The $13 million he is making this year and next before becoming an unrestricted free agent is extremely appealing to other organizations.