The Cleveland Cavaliers traded guard Joe Harris to the Orlando Magic in a salary dump Tuesday.
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Harris wasn’t key cog to the Cavaliers championship puzzle, so losing him in exchange for $3 million in breathing room and a 2020 pick isn’t something anyone should consider a bad haul. As the Cavaliers noted in their press release, Harris had foot surgery on Tuesday.
The trade, which also included cash going to Orlando, was inevitable after the Cavs guaranteed Jared Cunningham’s contract for the remainder of this season. “Joe was a real good member of the team”.
Because the Cavaliers are so deep into the luxury tax, simply leaving the 15th spot on their roster open would save them almost $3.4 million in tax payments. If he his able to recover quickly, Harris could join a team later this year, but more likely be picked up during the off-season. He was a guy we all liked having on our team. A terrific teammate and a guy with a real future, I believe, in this league. The picks are heavily protected and unlikely to be conveyed.
Harris appeared in just five games for the Cavaliers this season playing a total of 15 minutes and attempting just four shots.
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Harris is now the 15th player on Orlando’s roster and they will have a decision to make as to whether they want to keep him.
