Jazz Sign Guard Shaquille Harrison
Dec 9, 2020, 2:30 PM | Updated: 4:23 pm
Shaquille Harrison (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz are signing former Chicago Bulls guard Shaquille Harrison. The team announced the deal with the free-agent as training camp is already underway.
Harrison helps fill the Jazz void at back up point guard which was otherwise occupied by guards Joe Ingles and Nigel Williams-Goss. Ingles is a more than capable lead guard in spot minutes, but the Jazz would have found themselves thin at the position in case of an injury to either Conley or Ingles.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the deal is worth the veterans minimum.
Shaq Harrison is signing a one-year, minimum deal with Utah, sources said. https://t.co/24Mn42K17W
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 9, 2020
The fourth-year guard brings an instant upgrade to the Jazz defensive abilities in the backcourt. While the team has one of the deeper guard rotations in the NBA, neither Conley, Ingles, or guards Donovan Mitchell or Jordan Clarkson carry Harrison’s defensive reputation.
In 10 starts last season, Harrison averaged an impressive 9.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.8 steals while shooting 47 percent from the floor and 55 percent from the three-point line.
As a reserve, Harrison’s numbers dropped to 3.6 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.6 assists, while shooting 45 percent from the floor and just 22 percent from the three-point line.
With only backup minutes available, Harrison will have to prove he can keep his efficiency numbers up when he begins the game on the bench.
.@ShaqHarrison_3 has some bunnies 🐰 pic.twitter.com/ClK7n9RVTA
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) August 9, 2020
A native of Missouri, Harrison played college basketball at Tulsa and had career averages of 11.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 rebounds, and a similar 1.8 steals per game.
At 6’4, Harrison also adds much-needed size to the Jazz backcourt as both Mitchell and Conley stand 6’1, and 6’0.
Harrison began his NBA career with the Phoenix Suns in 2018 before spending each of the last two seasons with the Bulls.
The Jazz roster now stands at the maximum of 15 players.
