How is this likely, when rumours about Gordon seem to be set on a solid player plus a pick or two, not a low-ceiling prospect and a pick?
If the Nuggets are supposedly the new leader sending back Gary Harris, "solid player" is not where negotiations are.
Fair, but he's a better player than Grant, and is a significant salary piece for trades
Is he a better player than Grant at this point? That is arguable, and I'm not trying to praise Grant here. Harris is often hurt, and when he's not hurt, he's not good. Taking back Grant alone gives the Magic a nice TPE, and saves the Magic $20+ million in payroll.
Put a different way -- the Celtics could trade Grant for Harris straight up. Would you do that? I wouldn't.
I think so, especially if he's put on a team without Jamal Murray. I like Grant, but I don't think he would ever get close to the levels that I believe Harris could return to on a different team
Harris can't shoot any more. It's been 3 seasons since he was an average shooter. I frankly think Murray masks his shortcomings, as he should be a 5th option on offense but is at least a passable defender. He also is good to miss 20-30 games a year. And again, he makes $20 million next year.
The concept of Grant plus picks isn't likely the deal, as the C's will want to stay below the tax and this deal isn't sufficient to do so. That said, PER isn't the best stat, but it's good enough to say that a guy like Harris with a PER below 10 for the last two seasons is probably not a solid player.