Atlanta Hawks: What Happened to Devin Harris?

Playoff basketball is right around the corner. If there is anything recent playoff history has shown us, it is that stars win championships. Franchises looking to grow must gamble on young players and hope that they develop into stars. Teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder have found great success using this method. Other teams are following suit, such as the young and promising New Orleans Hornets.

Giving the reins to your franchise to a young player is always a gamble. Sometimes, those young potential stars never fulfill their potential. Devin Harris unfortunately is the “poster boy” example for stars that should have been but never panned out.

Once a promising player, now Devin Harris is largely viewed as a disappointment. (Photo by Mark Runyon a.k.a Basketball Schedule/Flickr.com)

When the New Jersey Nets traded away their aging franchise point guard Jason Kidd in exchange for Harris, they believed they were trading for a younger player to build their franchise around. Harris had speed that was nearly unmatched around the league. He was young, crafty and seemed to have real star potential.

The Mavericks thought so highly of Harris they refused any trades with the Nets for him not involving future Hall of Famer Kidd. Kidd’s production had taken a slight hit, but he was still a major asset for any team.

Once upon a time Jason Kidd was the franchise player for the other New York basketball team. Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com

Harris became the featured player on offense for the Nets. They initially looked wise for dealing their aging star for the lightning-quick guard. Harris produced fantastic numbers in his first full season with the Nets. He averaged more than 21 points per game (according to basketballreference.com). The Nets appeared to be in good hands going forward.

Since the 2008-09 season, Harris has seen a drastic dip in production. In 2009-10 his average dipped to less than 17 points per game. In the seasons following that, Harris has been unable to average even 16 points per game. It became clear that Harris was a solid player, but would never live up to the expectations that were sought of him.

When this became clear, the Nets traded Harris (as well as former lottery pick Derrick Favors) for a proven star in Deron Williams in February 2011. The Utah Jazz believed that they could rejuvenate the stalling Harris by providing him a change of scenery and new teammates.

The Nets fans got a real star point guard in Deron Williams in exchange for Devin Harris. Photo Credit: Mark Runyan, Basketball Schedule

Harris once again was a disappointment in Utah. His lack of shooting and confidence was a key factor to them getting absolutely pummeled in playoffs last season. San Antonio exploited their matchup using Tony Parker to shred him to pieces. It did not take Utah long to see that Harris was not their point guard of the future. Utah was so desperate to get rid of Harris that they traded him to Atlanta Hawks for the underachieving and overpaid Marvin Williams.

Devin Harris has been a solid back-court partner as well as mentor for up-and-coming guard Jeff Teague.

Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule

During his time in Atlanta, Harris has not put up eye-popping numbers. He has not been able to remain healthy. He was acquired specifically for his expiring contract and as a crafty escape from the cap-eating contract of Williams.

Despite all this, Harris is quietly having a solid year this season. He seems comfortable and to have found a role that suits him. Jeff Teague has taken his game to another level this season and there is no doubt that Harris has been a positive influence in helping him grow as a player.

Harris looks like a different player this season. He does not look weighed down with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Instead, Atlanta picked him up with little to no expectations. This has permitted Harris to play freely once more and rejuvenate himself into an interesting prospect this off-season.

Harris is only 30 years old. He should have a lot of good basketball left in him. It is unclear what is the cause for Harris’ drop in production. Perhaps his body has just slowed down. Another explanation would be a Harris losing his confidence. Perhaps he just has not been in the right system.

All things considered, it is too early to give up on his career. Instead, we as fans simply need to simply adjust our expectations and enjoy the play of the solid yet unheralded point guard.