It looked as if Gary Harris was starting to find himself again as a player in early December.
That stretch of the season, when Harris averaged 11.6 points on 46.9% shooting from the field and 35.1% shooting on 3-pointers over seven games, offered evidence of Harris re-establishing himself after injuries slowed him down in previous years.
“My biggest thing coming into the season was really just being and staying healthy,” Harris told the Orlando Sentinel before the season ended. “Injuries have been something in the past that’s been frustrating. I’m happy with where everything’s going. I’m happy with where I’m at. My body feels good. Life is great.”
Harris finished the season averaging 11.1 points on 43.4% shooting from the field and 38.4% shooting on 3s for a 53.9% effective field goal percentage — a formula that adjusts for 3-pointers being worth more than 2-pointers.
He appeared in 61 games, the most he’s played in a season since 2017-18, and his eFG% was the highest it’s been since then.
Harris got to the rim less frequently (career-low 3.7 drives) but was more efficient than he’s been in a few seasons when getting into the paint, making 58.4% of his shots within 10 feet of the rim.
He did most of his damage as a spot-up shooter from beyond the arc, where 54.6% of his shots came from. He was particularly lethal from the left corner, making a league-high 47% of 3-point attempts from that zone, according to ESPN.
Harris, who was on an expiring contract that paid him $20.5 million for 2021-22, was expected to be one of the Magic veteran players other teams would have interest in ahead of the Feb. 10 trade deadline.
He averaged 13.3 points (45% shooting, 40.3% on 3s) and 1.1 steals in the 40 games before the deadline, but a deal for Harris didn’t materialize and he finished the season in Orlando.
Harris could’ve played in more games down the season’s stretch but was a healthy scratch for most of the final month.
The Magic, who finished with the league’s second-worst record at 22-60, prioritized developing their younger players. Harris sat in 13 of the final 18 games.
“I tell everybody this is fun to be around,” Harris said. “Coaching staff is great. I love the team. At the end of the day, I understand the business of basketball. I’ve been traded. I’ve been a part of it. Just being professional and controlling what I can control — working, try to help my teammates out and be the best professional I can be.
“A lot of stuff you hear, a lot of it’s smoke and mirrors anyway. It’s just a business. That’s what makes it fun.”
Because of his skill set as a 3-and-D wing and age, 27, Harris is expected to garner interest from other teams — especially contending ones — as an unrestricted free agent.
He could also return to the Magic, who have Harris’ Bird Rights since they acquired him via trade with the Denver Nuggets in March 2021.
Bird Rights are a clause in the league’s collective bargaining agreement that allows teams to offer their players higher salaries than their competitors depending on how long the player’s been with their incumbent team.
Orlando is projected to have the most practical cap space, according to Spotrac.
Harris will let free agency play itself out.
“My concern is myself, working on my game,” Harris said. “That’s one constant. Whatever happens, I got to continue to stay sharp, work on my game and get better. That’s just where I’m at. I’m not worried about anything else but just being the best version of myself. Once you put things into perspective like that, you really don’t get bothered by much.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
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