Nets Rumors: Joe Harris Not on Trade Block After Undergoing Ankle Surgery Last Season

The Brooklyn Nets are reportedly not interested in trading guard Joe Harris before the start of the 2022-23 season.

Alex Schiffer of The Athletic reported the Nets have "adamantly" said they are hanging on to Harris, who missed all but 14 games of last season because of an ankle injury.

The eight-year veteran has two years remaining on the four-year, $75 million contract he signed with Brooklyn in 2020. He's been one of the NBA's most reliable three-point shooters since entering the league, posting a 43.9 percent rate from distance for his career. Harris led the NBA in three-point percentage in both 2018-19 and 2020-21.

The Nets are likely planning to start this season with Harris joining Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons, Kevin Durant and Nic Claxton in the starting lineup. It's possible Brooklyn will explore adding a 5 who can stretch the floor in place of Claxton, especially given Simmons' lack of three-point range.

Schiffer mentioned Seth Curry as being likelier to be traded than Harris. Curry brings the same level of excellence from three-point range as Harris, but he's smaller (6'2" compared to the 6'6" Harris) and less adept on the defensive end.

After the Durant trade-request saga enveloped the Nets' entire summer, it seems they're suddenly underrated as a championship contender. Simmons should be rejuvenated after exiting a toxic situation in Philadelphia and is a near-perfect basketball fit next to Durant and Irving.

The return of Simmons and Harris to full strength puts Brooklyn on the shortlist of title favorites.