32 and Retired: Reflecting on Joe Harris' NBA Career

In a move that caught many by surprise, Joe Harris, a free agent and one of the NBA’s most respected sharpshooters, announced his retirement at the age of 32. The news, first reported by Shams Charania late last night, has left fans and analysts alike wondering what led to this unexpected decision. After all, 32 is typically considered the prime age for an NBA player, especially one like Harris, whose shooting skills are highly valued in today’s game. Yet, the writing may have been on the wall for some time, as Harris' recent struggles on the court hinted that his career might be winding down.

Harris’ retirement feels sudden, particularly given his status as one of the league’s most proficient three-point shooters—a skill set that theoretically should have kept him in demand. However, the decline in his performance last season with the Detroit Pistons suggests otherwise. Harris played in just 16 games, averaging a mere 10.6 minutes, 2.4 points, and shooting 33.3% from beyond the arc—an uncharacteristically low mark for a player of his caliber. The Pistons waived him in February, and since then, no team has shown interest in signing him, not even on a minimum contract. Given this context, Harris' decision to retire, while surprising, begins to make more sense.

So, as Harris steps away from the game, how should we evaluate his NBA career? The answer, like his career itself, is multifaceted.

A Tale of Perseverance

Joe Harris’ journey to the NBA was anything but easy. Selected as the 33rd overall pick in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Harris entered the league with little fanfare. Players selected in the second round are often considered long shots to carve out significant NBA careers, and for a while, it looked like Harris might follow that script. During his first two seasons with the Cavaliers, he appeared in just 56 games, averaging 9.1 minutes and 2.5 points per game. He was a fringe player, struggling to find his footing on a team that was more focused on contending for championships with LeBron James at the helm.

Harris' career could have easily fizzled out at this point, relegating him to the long list of NBA players who had a cup of coffee in the league before moving on. However, 2016 marked a turning point in his career. After being traded to the Orlando Magic and subsequently waived, Harris signed a two-year minimum contract with the Brooklyn Nets. It was in Brooklyn that Harris would undergo a transformation, evolving from an NBA afterthought into one of the league’s premier three-point shooters.

Rise to Prominence

Harris’ seven-year tenure with the Brooklyn Nets can only be described as transformative. Initially joining as a depth player, Harris quickly earned a reputation as one of the league’s most reliable shooters. His ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc, combined with his high basketball IQ and work ethic, made him an invaluable asset to the Nets. Harris didn’t just find a place in the rotation; he became a starter, a key piece of the team’s offensive schemes, and a fan favorite.

One of the crowning achievements of Harris’ career came in 2019 when he won the NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest, besting some of the league’s top shooters, including Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, and Devin Booker. This victory was not just a testament to his shooting prowess but also to his ability to perform under pressure.

Throughout his career, Harris established himself as a record-setting marksman. He holds multiple three-point shooting records, both for the Nets and in the NBA at large. Harris made 984 three-pointers during his time with the Nets, the most in franchise history, surpassing Jason Kidd’s record of 813. Additionally, Harris has made 1,026 three-pointers over his career with a remarkable 43.6% accuracy rate. Among players who have made at least 1,000 three-pointers, Harris boasts the highest shooting percentage in NBA history.

One of his most impressive seasons came in 2021-22 when he hit 211 three-pointers while shooting 47.5% from deep. This performance ranks second all-time for the highest single-season three-point shooting percentage by a player who made at least 200 threes, trailing only Kyle Korver’s 2014-15 season (221 threes at 49.2%).

These accomplishments illustrate just how impactful Harris was during the peak of his career. He was more than just a role player; he was a foundational piece of the Nets’ offense and one of the best shooters in the game. In 2020, the Nets rewarded Harris for his consistent excellence with a four-year, $75 million contract—a significant achievement for a player who began his career as a second-round pick.

The Downfall: Injuries and Playoff Struggles

While Harris' regular-season exploits were impressive, his career was marred by some notable playoff struggles. The most infamous of these came during the 2021 postseason, a year when the Nets were heavily favored to win the NBA championship after assembling a superteam featuring Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. Harris, the team’s designated sharpshooter, was expected to be a crucial contributor, especially in spacing the floor for the trio of stars.

Harris performed well in the first round, helping the Nets dispatch the Boston Celtics in five games. He averaged 14.1 points per game during the regular season, with a stellar 47.5% from beyond the arc. In the first round against Boston, he continued his hot shooting, making 3.4 three-pointers per game at a blistering 51.5% clip. In Game 2, Harris tied the Nets' playoff record by making seven three-pointers, a performance that suggested he was ready to deliver in the postseason.

However, the second round against the Milwaukee Bucks proved to be a nightmare for Harris. After a solid start to the series, his shooting touch abandoned him at the worst possible time. Over the final five games of the series, Harris shot just 24.2% from three-point range (8-for-33) and saw his scoring average drop to 7 points per game. The Nets, hampered by injuries to Harden and Irving, needed Harris to step up, but he struggled to hit open shots, a factor that played a significant role in the Nets’ eventual elimination.

The criticism Harris faced for his playoff struggles was intense, and it was clear that those misses weighed heavily on him. His confidence seemed shaken, and it would prove difficult for him to recover. The 2022 season saw Harris sidelined due to injury, and without him, the Nets were swept out of the playoffs by the Celtics. When Harris returned for the 2023 playoffs, his struggles continued. He played limited minutes, averaging just 1.8 points per game and making only one of his 12 three-point attempts (8.3%) as the Nets were swept by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.

The past five years of Harris' career were a rollercoaster of highs and lows. From being a three-point king and a member of Team USA at the 2019 FIBA World Cup to being traded, waived, and ultimately left unsigned, Harris experienced the full spectrum of an NBA career. Injuries undoubtedly played a part in his decline, but it’s also fair to say that Harris’ struggles in crucial playoff moments contributed to teams’ reluctance to take a chance on him as his career wound down.

The Legacy of Joe Harris

So, how should we remember Joe Harris’ career? On one hand, he was a remarkable success story—a second-round pick who not only carved out a decade-long NBA career but also became one of the league’s elite shooters. His journey from a fringe player in Cleveland to a key starter in Brooklyn is nothing short of inspirational. He won a Three-Point Contest, set franchise records, and earned a sizable contract, all while remaining one of the league’s most respected and well-liked players.

On the other hand, Harris’ legacy is somewhat tarnished by his playoff failures. For many Nets fans, the memory of those missed shots in the 2021 series against the Bucks will always linger. It’s a classic case of what might have been—if Harris had made just one more three-pointer in Game 7, perhaps the Nets would have advanced and won the championship. Instead, that series remains one of the most painful “what-ifs” in recent NBA history.

Despite the ups and downs, Joe Harris' career was far from a failure. He overcame long odds to become a vital part of an NBA team, and he did so with a level of professionalism and humility that earned him respect throughout the league. As he steps away from the game at 32, Harris can take pride in what he accomplished. His journey is a reminder that success in the NBA isn’t just about talent—it’s about perseverance, hard work, and making the most of the opportunities that come your way.

For Joe Harris, those opportunities led to a career that, while not perfect, was undoubtedly something to be proud of.