The Orlando Magic made the first blockbuster trade of the offseason when they acquired Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies. That big-time splash sent the Orlando Magic into a financial bind against the cap. They made two predictable decisions as a result.
Michael Scotto reported, "Just In: The Orlando Magic have declined team options for Gary Harris ($7.5 million) and Cory Joseph ($3.47 million) for the 2025-26 season as part of the Desmond Bane trade, league sources told [HoopsHype]."
The Magic denied the Los Angeles Lakers a potential reunion with former champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as a part of their deal with the Grizzlies. However, they opened a door for the Lakers to make a splash play of another sort.
After making the necessary financial decisions for their franchise, the Magic have handed the opportunity to revive Harris' career right to Rob Pelinka and the Lakers. The veteran wing will be right there for the taking in this year's free agency period.
Harris can bring necessary depth to Lakers
Harris has certainly declined in his production after an injury-plagued season. The 11-year veteran is not the same kind of productive role player that many will remember from his days with the Denver Nuggets.
In 2024-25, Harris only played 48 games, averaging 3.0 points per game, while shooting 38.3 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from 3-point. There is a reason the Magic were comfortable moving on from the $7.5 million price tag that the former 2014 first-rounder would have carried next season.
However, the Lakers would not be bringing Harris in with that same kind of financial burden. Any contract handed out to the Michigan State alumni would be a minimum deal this offseason
From there, the conversation shifts to expectations. In the case of Harris, the idea here would be for him to be an insurance policy.
Injuries have dealt a blow to the athletic ability of the veteran wing. Despite that, Harris can still hold his own fairly well as a perimeter defender. His strong defensive IQ and reliable fundamentals allow him to remain effective.
Offensively, the dip in production is clear. Luka Doncic can fix that. Doncic provides some of the easiest openings on the perimeter for his teammates of any superstar in the NBA. Harris is a career 36.9 percent shooter from beyond the arc who could benefit from those easy looks.
No one should be looking to the 30-year-old as a mainstay rotational player in 2025-26. However, the idea of Harris being a reliable 11th or 12th guy on the bench that provides a known commodity if or when called upon is certainly not unreasonable.
