Joe Harris signs two-year deal with Cleveland Cavaliers

Joe Harris has signed a two-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to Whitey Reid of The Daily Progress. 

"Sources have told The Daily Progress that the Cleveland Cavaliers, who picked Harris with the 33rd overall selection in last month’s draft, have given Harris a guaranteed two-year deal.This definitely bodes well for Harris’ NBA future. With a guaranteed deal, he no longer has to worry about making the Cavs’ roster and can focus solely on catching alley-oops from new teammate LeBron James (I kid).Harris will have his work cut out in earning playing time. The Cavs recently signed veteran wing Mike Miller and are said to be interested in bringing in Ray Allen, James’ good friend and former teammate."

The contract is guaranteed for two seasons, which as Reid mentions in his article is a rarity for second round picks. This is the second consecutive season the Cavaliers have given a multi-year guarantee to a second rounder, after signing Carrick Felix to such a deal last year.

Harris is a sharp-shooting two-guard that is probably not going to see the court this year after the Cavaliers are done re-making their roster. Dion Waiters is entrenched as their starting 2-guard. Miller and James Jones have already been brought in as requisite shooters off the bench. Plus, the Cavs are working hard to bring in Allen, who is considering retirement. Also, given the way the Cavaliers are attempting to scrounge together non-guaranteed deals to trade for Kevin Love, adding another guaranteed one seems very strange.

Overall, I’m not particularly a huge fan of Harris’s game. He’s undoubtedly an excellent shooter, but guys like him tend to differentiate themselves into NBA players through the portrayal of other skills. Harris is a decent passer that will at least keep the ball moving on offense, plus he’s a willing — albeit not particularly skilled — defender. However, I’m not sure that’s enough for him to stick in the NBA. And given the way that the Felix deal has paid off for the Cavs so far (it hasn’t, even though Felix was hurt last year), it just seems odd to guarantee him multiple years off the bat.

The team must really like him to do it though, so that bodes well for Harris’s future.