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As the Nets’ melodrama with the Rockets and James Harden drags on – and it could drag on for weeks on end – the free agency is giving advice at 6 p.m. Friday. For Brooklyn, that means Priority # 1: Retaining Joe Harris.
Even with the Celtics reportedly withdrawing from a full pursuit of Harden, it’s unclear if the Nets have enough pieces to get him away from Houston. But what is certain is that they’re not just on the line to re-sign Harris, but are seen in the NBA as being in the driver’s seat to keep him on a three or four year contract.
“We have Joe Harris here; he’s not going anywhere, ”former Nets deputy general manager Bobby Marks said on ESPN, of which he is the cap guru. “If they get James Harden in a business and sign Joe Harris, for example, on an $ 18 million contract, your tax bill goes from $ 82 million to $ 148 million.”
If the Nets re-sign Harris for a friendlier $ 12 million, their luxury tax bill could rise to around $ 50 million.
The Post reported months ago that both Atlanta and Charlotte have Harris on their wishlists, but the Hornets appear ready to move on to cheaper options. Meanwhile, Harris and the Nets seem to want to stick together.
“Priority # 1. It’s that simple, yes,” Nets Managing Director Sean Marks told YES Network. “Signing him and seeing him with this group will definitely be a priority for us.”
When new coach Steve Nash sat down for a meal with Harris, he told the Soft Wing he was hoping to make him stay. The reasons are obvious.
Harris’ 3-point percentage since 2017-18 is the league’s second-best at 43.9. He would look even sharper playing with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, a big reason he said he wanted to come back.
“Absolutely. Why not you?” Harris said. “These are guys that I’ve grown closer to now that I’m with them last year. Obviously they’re amazing players. You see what they’re capable of when “They’re healthy and they’re playing. I don’t think there’s anybody in the NBA who wouldn’t want to play with these guys.”
The feeling around the league is that Harris would thrive playing alongside the star duo of the Nets.
“Playing with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant will make him even better… They’ll release him for easier shots,” said ex-76ers Scout Michael Vandegarde, who co-owns CoachTube and also runs a boutique tracking service. “I think they can keep Joe because he’s such a big part of what they want to do.
As expected, the Nets declined their $ 5 million team option on Garrett Temple. The move was expected even before the Nets were traded for Bruce Brown on Monday and Landry Shamet on draft night.
Temple, 34, was immensely respected in the locker room. Vice-president of the Players Association, he had earned the nickname “president” and was a regular veteran leader.
“It’s a great organization, a great organization, first-class in every way – exactly what I heard, what I thought when I signed here,” Temple said after the Nets exit from the playoffs. “I really hope to be here next year when we have our full team of guys so we can have a nice push.
Temple averages a career-high 10.3 points, 3.5 tables and 2.5 assists, even playing a point guard. Despite an average score of 37.8% overall and 32.9% of depth, it should arouse the interest of several teams.
The Nets go over the cap, limited to minimum deals and taxpayer exception ($ 5.7 million). Durant recruited his former Thunder teammate Serge Ibaka, but the great veteran made $ 23 million last season. He’s expected to seek at least half of it, and several teams can offer the mid-level exception at $ 9.3 million.
The Nets extended a qualifying offer to Chris Chiozza, making him a restricted free agent. The move was first reported by Hoopshype.
The league should finalize the two exchanges of the Nets draft night on Friday. Free agent signatures are allowed after noon on Sunday, and Tuesday is the trigger date for the first of three guarantees for Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot.
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