NBA Free Agency: Joe Harris offers answers for specific OKC problems

Fitting the role to the player:

For all intents and purposes, Joe Harris appears to be just what the doctor ordered for Oklahoma City. As a team, the Thunder struggled to find points off the bench and weren’t much a threat from behind the arc. So why not sign a shooter and bring him off the bench to alleviate both issues?

Of course, Harris isn’t the answer to all of OKC’s problems, but he would be good start. And potentially a cheap one at that. However, he undoubtedly earned a pay raise after his previous season and will likely be in talks with several teams this free agency period.

First and foremost, Harris will be considering his current team. According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, the Nets see him as apart of their future and the feeling seems to be mutual. Given the Nets’ history of overpaying players, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them outbid the competition.

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Despite his early intentions of staying put, Oklahoma City has a lot of appeal. It’s a win-now situation which involves playing alongside at least three future Hall of Fame players. That is, assuming Paul George comes back. If he doesn’t, OKC has bigger fish to fry.

Regardless, adding Harris would bring a lot of value. The issue will be getting him for the right price. Oklahoma City blew by the NBA’s $99 million salary cap last season with a whopping $134.29 million in player salaries.

With eight players to bring back or replace from last season, Presti will need to fill at least four spots at bargain prices. If George opted-in, the Thunder would have owed $137.53 million, but as it stands, the total is $116.83 million. Instead whatever deal George (or someone else is given) will need  be added to the total.

In short, Presti will have to be sure to work all angles to make a good sales pitch. Presti will either have to convince Harris to take less money to play for a winner or try to find new homes for players like Alex Abrines, Patrick Patterson or Kyle Singler.