Player: Gary Harris

Team: Denver Nuggets

Projected Role: Starting Shooting Guard

What to Expect: Gary Harris, affectionately called "Garris" by the Nuggets fan base, quietly took quite a major leap last season. Thus far in the preseason and training camp, he appears to be picking up right where he left off. After trade rumors swirled around him this summer, he has now signed a major contract extension with the Nuggets. Assuming his projected role stays the same, Harris figures to provide three major assets at a high draft value to your team.

First, this guy is going to get open threes and easy twos. In the past season and a half, Harris has become an elite three-point shooter, shooting 42% from behind the arc in 2016-17. Not to mention the fact that he figures to be a major part of the Nuggets' plans on offense.  The Nuggets use Center Nikola Jokic as the spearhead for an offense based on spacing and cutting. The addition of Paul Millsap, another facilitating big, will only amplify the focus on space and movement for Denver. It just so happens that Harris excels at hitting open shots and finding open spots in the defense. He is not only an above average shooter, he is an above average mover. He is wonderful at cutting to the rim, and he often catches and finishes on those "Magic Jokic" passes. Expect him to have some excellent offensive numbers, especially as far as his value goes. This guy should absolutely fill it up this season.

Second, despite his supposed lack of size, Harris has also become a borderline elite defender. The flashier parts of his defensive game are pretty obvious: he is an above average pick pocket. He averages just above a steal per game for his career, and he has played on some atrocious defensive teams. The Nuggets have appeared focused and active on defense through three preseason games, but nothing counts until October 17th. With some healthy skepticism applied, it is still reasonable to conclude that the Nuggets, and by extension Harris, will improve defensively this year. Expect Harris to produce on both sides of the floor.

Third, this is the year that Gary has to show that he can withstand the mileage and the heavy burden of starting night in and night out in the league. He has been plagued by injury in the past. Most recently, he appeared in only 57 games last season, meaning he missed 25 games. My bet, and the bet of the franchise, is that he shines this season. However, it's not a bad idea to have a backup plan for Garris, like all sleepers.

I fully expect Gary Harris to have a breakout season and to solidify himself as one of the best shooting guards in the league. Don't miss your chance to pick him up before your leaguemates do!

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