Brooklyn Nets: 2017-18 player grades for Joe Harris

A former journeyman, Brooklyn Nets swingman Joe Harris has found a home after four seasons in the NBA. Here’s a look at how he solidified an NBA role this past season.

Did someone say Joe Harris? I.e. a young shooter who was waived and would cost only the minimum salary to obtain? Sign the Brooklyn Nets up.

After being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, playing as a perpetual G Leaguer, then being traded to the Orlando Magic within two seasons, and then waived by the same Magic, Harris was an afterthought to many.

Not to Brooklyn. A factory for reclamation projects, the Nets pounced on the chance to grab a young, cheap player like Harris.

Harris’ work ethic and I.Q., combined with coach Kenny Atkinson’s developmental acumen, made for quite a few leaps this past season. Despite an increase in usage from the 2016-17 season, Harris increased his field goal percentage by six whole percentage points (42.5 percent to 49.1) and his free throw efficiency by 11 (71.4 percent to 82.7). Yes, 11 whole percentage points.

Harris improved in virtually everything in his second season (first full season) as a Net, which sounds familiar. It was another stroke of brilliance by the Atkinson and the rest of the developmental staff. They put Harris in the perfect role to maximize his existing skill-set. This mostly consisted of spot-up situations off screens, drives off screens, and secondary pick-and-rolls. Put simply, he was a lite version of Allen Crabbe.

Now it’s time to see how Harris revived his career, and what the Nets got out of it in 2017-18.