Denver Nuggets: 3 candidates for a breakout season in 2018-19

2. Gary Harris

Now we get into Denver’s young backcourt duo, starting with 23-year-old Gary Harris, who is entering his fifth season in the league. Last season Harris continued his steady, under-the-radar development, posting 17.5 points, 2.9 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game while hitting 39.6 percent of his 3-pointers.

Harris continues to develop on both ends of the floor, which bodes well for his 2018-19 campaign. He is a capable secondary playmaker, great shooter and continues to improve on the defensive end as he looks to grow into one of the premier 3-and-D wings in the league.

Harris has a versatile offensive arsenal, allowing him to score from all areas of the court. Second on the team in scoring last season, Harris shot a staggering 71.8 percent from within three feet of the rim and 46.6 percent on mid-range jumpers to go along with his near-40 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

He too can put points on the board in a variety of ways, making him an ideal complement in the backcourt.

However, unlike his backcourt teammate, Harris has showcased some serious defensive potential. While both young guards have struggled during their young careers, Harris is clearly farther along than Murray in becoming a quality defender. Last season, Harris posted a +0.14 defensive real plus-minus, and the team’s defense was 3.1 points per 100 possessions better when he was on the floor.

Continued improvement on defense coupled with steady development and opportunities on offense should allow Harris to increase his statistical averages and make himself more of a household name in the upcoming campaign.