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Denver Nuggets: Case for starting Gary Harris at the three

By Mathew Huff

DENVER, CO - JANUARY: Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris dunks the ball during the first half of an NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Pepsi Center on January 3, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets beat the Suns 134-111. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY: Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris dunks the ball during the first half of an NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Pepsi Center on January 3, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets beat the Suns 134-111. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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The Denver Nuggets will have a different looking starting rotation come next season.

With Wilson Chandler now gone, the starting wing will be Will Barton to start off the season. However, there is a chance that he will be relegated back to the bench if he cannot live up to the expectations in the starting lineup.

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So, where does this leave the Denver Nuggets in terms of their starting rotation? They have a couple of options. They could try their hand at starting Juancho Hernangomez at the small forward spot. However, there could be a better option which could make their stating lineup even more explosive which is scary to think about.

If Gary Harris were to shift over to the wing, it would open up the opportunity to start Jamal Murray at his natural two guard spot and let Isaiah Thomas back into a starting rotation for the first time in about a year.

The lineup would then be Isaiah Thomas, Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Paul Millsap and of course, Nikola Jokic. Harris has shown the versatility to play multiple positions on the perimeter. He may be undersized, but he would provide more defensive flexibility at the three than Will Barton would as a starter. Per basketball reference, Harris spent about 49% of the time at the small forward spot last season, so he is more than familiar with the position.

It would be intriguing to see the Nuggets go with this small ball lineup as well considering they have had success with small ball in the past when they have tried Wilson Chandler at the four. In today’s league, it has been proven by the Warriors that the right personnel can thrive playing small.

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In conclusion, this is a lineup which Michael Malone should consider toying with this coming season.

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