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According to Shams Charania the Utah Jazz have signed free agent guard Shaquille Harrison to a one-year minimum deal.
Free agent guard Shaq Harrison is finalizing a deal with the Utah Jazz, sources tell me and @Tjonesonthenba.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 9, 2020
Shaq Harrison is signing a one-year, minimum deal with Utah, sources said. https://t.co/24Mn42K17W
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 9, 2020
Shaq Harrison is a bargain pickup for a player who has proven to be a good NBA defender and showed upside with some improved three-point shooting at the end of last season. It’s already being lauded by NBA insiders.
Best move they've made this offseason.
— John Hollinger (@johnhollinger) December 9, 2020
This move will potentially help fill one of Utah’s biggest needs, wing defense. Last season Utah relied almost entirely on Royce O’Neale’s perimeter defense but it wasn’t enough in the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets in the first round. Harrison doesn’t solve the problem but if his shooting from the end of last season carries over it will definitely help and could even do more for the Jazz.
The knock on Harrison is offense. But in his final 15 games with the Bulls (six starts), he averaged 8.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocked shots in only 18.8 minutes per game.
— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) December 9, 2020
His shooting percentages: 52.1 FG, 44.4 on 1.8 3s per game and 87.5 FT.
However you look at this, it’s a great move by the Jazz front office. It’s low-risk and high-reward. Utah already has better depth this season from the draft and free agency and now can swing for the fences on Harrison. If it doesn’t pan out, it’s a one-year minimum deal and there’s no harm done. If Harrison can maintain his shooting and improved level of play he could be a potential rotation player on the team.
If you haven’t seen Harrison here’s some highlights from last season. The defense really stands out.
The one reason it may have taken this long for Harrison to get a contract may be because of a hand injury.
Shaq Harrison is dealing with a hand injury that he recently picked up (per @Tjonesonthenba' article here: https://t.co/nECgL1bnZC) so it's not clear how immediately he'll be able to help. But he will help.
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) December 9, 2020
It’s not clear when he’ll be able to contribute to the team, but when he does return his defensive impact will be a welcome site for the Utah Jazz defense.