Kevon Harris made impact on Magic with grit and hustle
For two-way players, establishing a role and making an impact on an NBA team can be a difficult task.
They have a 50-game limit in the regular season to be on their NBA team’s active roster and often spend more time playing for their organization’s G League affiliate. Two-way players’ roster spots are intended for development but they’re usually outside of the regular rotation and have to fight for playing time.
But through grit and hustle plays, two-way guard Kevon Harris made his presence felt on the Orlando Magic in 2022-23.
Harris’ impact went deeper than traditional numbers.
He averaged 4.1 points (43.9% shooting — 48.4% on 2s, 37.2% on 3s) and 2.1 rebounds in 13.4 minutes per game (34 games).
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Harris was most impactful with the energy and defensive disruption he brought. His 3.3 deflections and 1.3 steals per 36 minutes both were above-average marks compared to the rest of the league.
When the Magic lacked energy or needed a change of pace on the defensive end, that’s when Harris would typically hear his number called.
He made the most of that limited playing time, pressuring the opposing team’s top ballhandler, diving for loose balls, crashing the glass for offensive rebounds and disrupting passing lanes.
“Me finding my niche in the NBA, impacting the ball on the defensive end, that was big — me realizing that’s something I can help this team with and something this team needed,” Harris said. “Just some grit and change the culture here, and bring some griminess to the team. That’s something I embraced.”
When Harris played for the Magic’s G League affiliate, the Lakeland Magic (now known as the Osceola Magic after relocation), that’s when he showcased more of his skillset.
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The undrafted guard out of Stephen F. Austin averaged 18.9 points (51.1% shooting, 38.4% on 3s), 5.4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.5 in a bigger role (31.4 minutes, 20 games) for Lakeland.
A challenge for some players on two-way deals is figuring out how to adjust between the roles they play for their NBA and G League teams.
It’s a challenge Harris embraced.
“I just want to win games,” Harris said. “I just try to come out there with that approach. With Lakeland, I can be way more aggressive offensively as well. I’d say I helped [Orlando] this year a lot more on the defensive end being that spark off the bench. It was great, just building from there.”
Harris was signed to a 2-year two-way deal last offseason, meaning he has a contract with the Magic for 2023-24.
He’s hoping to show more of his skillset next season after getting his first experience of NBA playing time.
“I got my feet wet. It’s just the beginning,” Harris said. “Next year, I plan on showing a lot more — obviously, just being a tough two-way player out there on both ends of the ball and helping this team a lot.”
Email Khobi Price at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
