Gary Harris Not Pushing For Buyout, May Be Hoping To Re-Sign With Magic

Prior to the trade deadline, there was talking that Magic may try to deal shooting guard Gary Harris. And if that didn’t work, to try to work out a buyout of the remainder of Harris’ contract.

But Harris hasn’t requested a buyout and may be looking to sign a multiyear deal with the Magic this summer, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Harris, 27, is 6-foot-4 and averaging 11.4 points on 44 percent shooting in 52 games. He is in his second season with the Magic after coming over from the Nuggets in the Aaron Gordon trade a year ago.

If Harris were to have his deal bought out, he would certainly draw interest from contenders, at least for the rest of the season. But no one could pay him as much as the Magic this offseason, and it’s pretty clear Orlando is appreciative of his play.

So sticking in Orlando may make the most sense for Harris, even if the Magic are going through a rebuild phrase with an extremely young roster.

But it seems all is still possible when it comes to what happens with Harris next.

Still quite productive, Harris can help a contending team,” wrote Moke Hamilton of Basketball News. “Orlando still owes him slightly less than half of his $20.5 million salary for the remainder of the season, but if the team isn’t planning on re-signing him over the summer, a buyout is a possibility.”

“Whether or not Harris hits the market likely boils down to how much of his salary he would be willing to give up to secure his freedom and latch on with a contender.”