Rookies Wendell Moore Jr. and Josh Minott have commanded most of the attention of Minnesota Timberwolves fans following Summer League. However, Kevon Harris has given Minnesota the most steady flow of the offense in Vegas and proved that he deserves to stick with the team come training camp.
Harris, 25, spent last season with Toronto’s G-League team, the Raptors 905. Through 24 G-League games, he put up 15 points per game, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists on 30% from three and 50% from the floor. Harris has yet to suit up for an NBA team, but from what we saw in this year’s Summer League, Harris could be a valuable piece to any NBA rotation.
Before Harris joined the 905 in 2020, he attended Stephen F. Austin State University. He put up a career average of 14.4 points per game, 5.3 rebounds on 47% from the floor, and 42% from three in four seasons. Following his final season in Nacogdoches, he won Southland men’s basketball player of the year. He’s been a bucket-getter his whole career.
Following his time at SFA, he went undrafted. The Los Angeles Lakers picked him up, only to waive him one day later, which ultimately led him to sign with the Toronto Raptors.
Though the Timberwolves finished 2-3 during Summer League with guys like Minott and Moore making the headlines, you could make the case that Harris outplayed both of them. Aside from Harris’ flashy poster dunks, he brings the complete package to the floor.
Harris was within the top 30 leading scorers through the Summer League’s “regular season,” putting up 16 points per game, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on 60% from the floor and 46% from three. While it may not be a large sample size of this production out of Harris, one can’t help but think he’s made for the NBA. Harris’ shooting splits stand out to me. Every time he put up a shot, I assumed it was going in. It didn’t matter if it was a deep triple with a hand in his face or a contested rim attack. The ball was going in.
Not only can Harris fill up the box score on offense, but he also is a gritty and hard-working defender. That’s my favorite part of Summer League hoops; everyone plays their rear end off, trying to make an NBA roster. But in Harris’ case, he wasn’t just flying around. He was putting the clamps down on opposing players, averaging a steal per game.
It may be hard for Harris to find minutes with the Timberwolves right away due to newly-acquired Bryn Forbes and Austin Rivers, along with the young and talented Jaylen Nowell, who looks to become a big part of Minnesota’s rotation this season.
Still, the Wolves would be foolish not to try and keep him around in Iowa. However, that may be easier said than done. There are a good amount of teams in somewhat of a rebuild who’d be able to grant Harris more of a shot in the NBA right now. Those teams may include the Detroit Pistons, Portland Trailblazers, or even the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Though this may be far down the line, one can’t help but think how good he could make a contender at some point in his career. What team doesn’t need an athletic combo scorer at their 2-spot? Not only that, but what he can bring on defense may prove his worth that much more.
Regardless of where Harris winds up come training camp or a few years down the line, he’s going to make it in this league, bringing a fierce competitor on both sides of the ball. The sky is the limit for Harris.
