The 2014 NBA Draft class is beginning to slowly but surely sign their contract extensions. While all eyes are on 2014 number one pick Andrew Wiggins and his looming max deal, Gary Harris was waiting in the wings for what could be his big payday.
A push back to the playoffs appears to be how the Denver Nuggets are heading after their acquisition of Paul Millsap this summer but it’s the young studs that are going to see Denver into the future. While Nikola Jokic is the star of the Nuggets right now, his running mate going into the future will presumably be Gary Harris. Denver knows they need to keep their young talent and Harris was first up for a new deal.
Harris has reportedly signed a four-year, $84 million extension with the Nuggets to lock him in for the foreseeable future.
Following from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris has reached agreement on a four-year, $84 million contract extension, league sources told ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 8, 2017
With three seasons in the books, Harris is averaging 10.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists but his availability has been questioned in the past. He only played more than 60 games once but that hasn’t stopped his increase in minutes and shots.
Last season with Denver, Harris averaged 14.9 points per game with 3.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from three. His defense also makes it relatively easy to understand why Denver made this deal. They want to keep their young stars in-house as they grow and develop other young talents.
Harris’ deal will presumably set the market for other 2014 NBA draft class guards and wingmen. Rodney Hood, Zach LaVine, and even Glenn Robinson III can use this contract from Harris as a mark to begin their negotiations.
