7:46pm: The Nuggets have confirmed the move via press release.
8:49am: The Nuggets have exercised their 2017/18 option on Gary Harris‘ contract, locking him up until 2018, according to RealGM’s transactions log. The move ensures that Harris will receive a fully guaranteed $2,550,055 salary in ’17/18.
The 19th overall pick in the 2014 draft, Harris became Denver’s full-time starter at shooting guard last season, averaging 12.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, and 1.3 SPG in 76 contests. Considering he just celebrated his 22nd birthday last month, Harris still has plenty of potential to develop into an even more productive player for the Nuggets, who will have the opportunity to extend his contract in 2017 or re-sign him as a restricted free agent in 2018.
In the short term, Harris’ debut in 2016/17 figures to be postponed a little. He’s currently recovering from a torn groin, which he suffered during the Nuggets’ first preseason game, and isn’t expected to be ready to play to start the season.
The Nuggets have yet to make an announcement regarding Harris’ option, and will likely wait to confirm two other option decisions as well — Emmanuel Mudiay has a third-year option for 2017/18, while Jusuf Nurkic has a fourth-year ’17/18 option, and Denver will almost certainly pick up both of those.
Check out the full breakdown of this year’s rookie-scale option decisions right here.