Harris may not be a high-profile player, but this signing is a step in the right direction for the Lakers.
Harris, 24, was one of the top junior players in Germany before spending four years with the Gonzaga Bulldogs. During his senior season, Harris averaged 14.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game on 50.1 percent shooting from the field, helping to lead Gonzaga to their first ever No. 1 ranking.
The Lakers made the signing official via their official Twitter account.
This marks a rare commitment to acquiring youth.
For those unfamiliar, Harris is a 6'8" and 239-pound forward who can play both inside and along the perimeter. If he were younger than 24, there's a high probability that Harris would've been selected during the 2013 NBA draft.
Regardless of what transpires from here on out, signing Harris is a move that displays promise for the Lakers' future.
Fitting the System
The Lakers are unlikely to use Harris in a large capacity during the 2013-14 season, especially if head coach Mike D'Antoni stays true to his refusal to utilize rookies. To be fair to D'Antoni, Harris is an undrafted player, which is a virtual guarantee of his delegation to the bench.
With that being said, signing Harris shows a dedication to the system in place.
Harris is a strong interior player with the versatility to shoot jumpers with range out to the three-point line. His numbers were down in 2012-13, but he shot 41.4 percent on 70 attempts during the 2011-12 season.
The ability is there, now it's about finding the consistency.
At worst, Harris h...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
