NBA: Biggest X-factor for all 30 teams in the 2019-20 season

Denver Nuggets: Gary Harris

Rather than continue to ascend following a career-best campaign in 2017-18, Gary Harris came back down to earth amidst a 54-win season for the Denver Nuggets. Injuries limited him to 57 games while his scoring and overall efficiency took noticeable dips as well.

The Nuggets believe in their young 2-guard, as evidenced by the four-year, $84 million deal they gave him last year.

Alongside current All-Star Nikola Jokic and burgeoning star Jamal Murray, Harris is the one entrusted with slowing down the carousel of elite perimeter threats they face on a nightly basis.

His statistical dropoff is difficult to justify. Harris had increased his scoring average in each of his first four seasons with a 3-point percentage that hovered around 40 for the latter two.

The emergence of Jokic forces him off the ball, but the big man is an elite passer who should generate more efficient looks for his teammate both near the rim and from downtown.

Over his five-year career, Harris has played at least 70 games just once. Denver may have the depth to supplant his absence better than most, but the constant DNPs can take even the best players out of their nightly rhythm.

With two playmakers in the starting lineup, Harris will rarely be asked to create for himself or others.

The Nuggets simply need him to rediscover his stroke, remain healthy and continue ball-hawking ways on defense. If he does that, the ceiling for this squad will continue to be pushed to even greater heights.