NBA Rumor: Joe Harris on the Trade Block
According to an NBA Rumor, Joe Harris has been put on the trade block by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavs have had a good year so far, not compared to the Golden State Warriors but who has. They are sitting at 15 – 7 and are the #1 seed in the Eastern Conference. They have done all of it without Kyrie Irving and have only had Iman Shumpert for one game.
With Shump back, and Irving not far off, the Cavs could look to move Harris or Jared Cunningham to open a roster spot for a big man. Cunningham’s roster spot seems pretty secure but, according to Brian Windhorst, Harris could be moved:
"The Cavs really want to leave a roster spot open. In case they need to make a trade later…if they find player they can get on the trade exception, or if they want to sign a buyout guy, like Kendrick Perkins was last year. For a team in the Cavs position, you really want to have a roster spot open when you get into February, and March."
(Thanks to FanSided’s FoS for typing up Windy’s words from his interview on WKNR)
It makes sense that the Cavs would want to open up that roster spot. Much like Perkins last year, who had a few teams trying to sign him, the Cavs will be a place veterans want to come to try to get a ring. The Cavs could get a clear upgrade to Harris for next to nothing.
Harris has seen very little time in Cleveland. He has played in only 5 games this season, with a total of 15 minutes of court time. In Canton, with the D-League Charge, he is playing well however. He is averaging 17.6 points in 8 games there while shooting 41% from the floor. His 31% from beyond the arc is highly concerning though.
The 6’6″ Harris was known as a knockdown shooter coming out of college. He was expected to develop into a solid rotation piece for the Cavs from the outside at some point. The 24 year old was older than most, playing all 4 years in college, when coming into the league. His upside is not huge.
His confidence seemed to take a hit early last year under the leadership of LeBron James. Especially on his deep shot, that hasn’t returned.
The Cavs are unlikely to get much in return for Harris, a conditional 2nd round pick, at the most, makes sense. A team like the Philadelphia 76ers who are still trying to find a roster that fits together could use some shooting. They could also cut Harris without it causing them any financial stress.
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The Cavs on the other hand have to be aware of finances. Harris is making less than $1 million but, with the Cavs luxury tax position, is costing owner Dan Gilbert about $3 million. If the Cavs cut him, Gilbert would be paying the full amount plus another, estimated, $1.5 million for a buyout candidate they sign. Much better to make a deal, and send as much money to the new team as possible, than to just cut him.
Even a conditional 2nd rounder could have some value for the Cavs in future trade discussions. They could move it along with one of their two Traded Player Exceptions to bring in a talent another team didn’t want. They must send something, hence the value of the conditional 2nd rounder.
Do you think the Cavs can move Joe Harris as this NBA Rumor states?