Should the Denver Nuggets bring back Gary Harris?

There must have been some magic in that 27-year-old Denver Nuggets shooting guard the Orlando Magic found at the trade deadline last season in Gary Harris, who has kept up his valuable productive numbers since joining.

Harris provides scoring (11.5 points-per-game average), defense, and a little swag that Denver Nuggets fans surely appreciated during his time in the Mile High City.

Harris poured in another 15 in Orlando’s recent 121-111 loss to Denver at Ball Arena on Valentine’s Day, and the love could be felt for the veteran guard.

From former teammates, like MVP Nikola Jokic, to fans showing off their old and new Garry Harris jerseys. At one point, it even appeared like Jokic was recruiting Harris back to Denver as the two embraced at center court:

The Nuggets could use Harris’ consistent guard play, but would need a miracle buyout from the Magic to have a shot at signing Harris back to Denver’s active roster in time for a playoff push. The reunion seems unlikely, but hope remains for some that all could become right again if Gary Harris were to return to the blue and gold, just in time to pair with his good friend Jamal Murray as he pushes for a long-awaited return to the court.

Nuggets fans remember Harris’ ability in the clutch and his sick wing defense in the bubble to keep Denver breathing. He played crucial defense on Donovan Mitchell in the Western Conference semifinals in which Denver came back from down 3-1. Harris also adds an element that cannot be written down or described but is more felt. This is felt both in the locker room and at Ball Arena.

Harris’ game is just as solid as ever since joining the Magic, which brings into question whose minutes he would eat up if he returned to the Nuggets’ lineup.

Bryn Forbes has worked in nicely, logging an average of 19.1 minutes of court time in the month of February so far. Bones Hyland continues to build trust and confidence in Michael Malone, stealing away minutes from Facu Campazzo at point while Monte Morris rests. Will Barton has struggled lately, but would likely be a candidate to give up minutes if Harris came back to Denver.

Gary Harris is shooting nearly 50 percent from 3-point range in the month of February, and the Denver Nuggets, just like nearly every team, could stand to see a boost from their outside shooting. Denver especially considering Jokic’s prowess when it comes to finding open shooters.

It would be a pleasure for many Nuggets fans to see Harris return to his old stomping grounds, but some also wonder why Harris would leave what seems to be a good situation for him in Orlando. If the Magic can build on a young roster and start winning games, Orlando may actually wind up being more ideal of a situation for Harris than Denver, despite the everlasting relationships he built in his six and a half years in the Mile High.

John Hollinger, The Athletic believes that Harris’ 3-and-D style would be easy to add into any system. It’s because of this that it might be a tough market for Gary if he were to enter the open market:

"“Keeping him in Orlando the rest of the year is likely antithetical to the franchise’s overarching goals (getting a high lottery pick by ‘taking a look at’ Ignas Brazdeikis/Admiral Schofield/R.J. Hampton lineups); one presumes a reunion in Denver in particular would likely be appealing for both sides. Harris could also be a very tempting pick-up for Boston, which has five open roster spots after a series of deadline-day moves.”"

The question of roster spots is also a hard one. Assuming DeMarcus Cousins signs for the remainder of the season, taking the final open roster spot, Denver would have to waive someone to fit Harris in.

The Nuggets will continue to scour the lists of buyout candidates looking for a diamond in the rough, but the love for Harris in Denver is evergreen. Thoughts of Harris hitting game-winners and saving the Nuggets’ bacon on multiple occasions come rushing back for Nuggets fans, but maybe the best thing for both sides is to let this little birdie spread his wings in Florida.

A spot remains open for Harris at everyone’s table if he’s ever in town, and if the Magic wind up buying out his contract, I’m sure Harris is only a call away from reuniting with Denver. He is also a free agent at the end of 2022. The question is: Would you welcome Harris back?