In 2016, the Brooklyn Nets signed Joe Harris to a multi-year contract with hopes for Kenny Atkinson and his staff to develop Harris. The Nets’ staff managed to do just that and turned the sharpshooter’s career around. But at the time of the signing, nobody would have guessed what Harris’ career would entail.
But fast forward seven years after multiple playoff runs and a couple of 3-point contests under his belt, the 2019 three-point champion is now the longest-tenured Net on the roster. And in his time with Brooklyn, the 31-year-old has seen it all.
Joe Harris’ time in Brooklyn has been a roller coaster ride
Harris has played 431 regular-season games for the Nets, averaging 11.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in Brooklyn. In his time in Brooklyn, Harris has experienced the D’Angelo Russell era and the failed Big Three of Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant. Now Harris is part of a retooling situation as the Nets look ahead to the future.
Now glancing at the roster following the in-season trades of Durant and Irving, the Virginia product has now played with over 100 different teammates in his tenure with the Nets. Through draft picks, free agent signings, and trade acquisitions, Harris has dealt with turnover seemingly every year. Not to mention, with the hire of Jacque Vaughn, Harris has now played under four head coaches in Brooklyn.
Following his injury that caused the forward to miss the majority of the 2021–22 season, Harris now has the chance to be one of the top mentors in a playoff run. Brooklyn is one win away from clinching a playoff berth as the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference. While the veteran has yet to be leaned on to guide a team in his career, there’s no better time than the present.
Harris has the ability to build on what could now be considered somewhat of a Brooklyn Nets legacy with his extensive time with the organization. Despite not being the most known name in the league, Harris has clearly done something right to stick around with the franchise for seven years.