When the Blazers traded for Harkless from Orlando, most viewed the transaction as an afterthought, maybe an insurance policy. However, this was yet another master stroke by Blazers General Manager Neil Olshey. After surveying the market, he truly found an undervalued asset for pennies on the dollar.
Over the course of last season, Harkless was used progressively more by head coach Terry Stotts. His increased playing time is a result of the modern NBA, where versatility is a premium. By the playoffs, Harkless had cemented his spot as the team’s starting small forward, playing an important role in the Blazers 4-2 series win over the Los Angeles Clippers.