Denver Nuggets: 5 goals for Gary Harris in 2017-18

5. Average more than 33 minutes per game

Gary Harris will not control Mike Malone’s minute distributions for the Denver Nuggets. However, Harris is clearly the primary focus of the team’s backcourt this season — both in terms of talent and contract value.

Jamal Murray could take some minutes away from Harris next season. That alone could make this an impossible task. However, Emmanuel Mudiay played major minutes before being benched towards the end of the season.

Murray will probably spend some more time at point guard next season, freeing up minutes for Harris at the off-guard spot. Given the passing and creation abilities of Jokic and Millsap, the team’s nominal point guard will not be responsible for leading the offense consistently.

The Nuggets may also look to limit Harris’ minutes if he struggles with injuries next season. However, he is the primary option in the backcourt and is still just 23 years old. Thus, there is no reason for him to not expand upon his 31.3 minutes per game last year and his 32.1 per game in his sophomore season.