Devin Harris has missed the last three games because of a right wrist injury and he may not play tonight against the 76ers or on Tuesday against the Pistons.
But Harris was hurting long before he fell on his wrist in a game at Golden State last week, GM/interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe said Saturday.
"He played for a month (with the injury) and (for) three weeks he didn't say anything," Vandeweghe said. "We all knew it was sore. He just wanted to play."
Harris has been hurt a lot this season. Before he was diagnosed with tendinitis in his wrist and then made it worse by falling on it, he suffered sprained ankles and a strained groin, which kept him out of 10 straight games early in the season. He's missed 14 games overall.
Harris went through a light practice Saturday and wore tape on his wrist. He said he was able to shoot 10-foot jumpers with no discomfort, but that he had trouble once he moved out beyond the 15-foot range. He said he could probably play tonight if he wanted to - or if it were a playoff game (he can dream) - but that Vandeweghe told him he'd rather wait until he's closer to 100%.
Harris said that his wrist feels okay until he snaps it hard like he needs to while shooting long-range jumpers.
"That's when it bothers me most and that's when I need it the most, on passes, even dribbling and everything else," Harris said.
A story on the Internet last week speculated that Harris may be more injured than the Nets are letting on. But he and Vandeweghe both said that is not true, and the fact that Harris was even allowed to shoot short shots Saturday seems to suggest that he's close to returning.
But regardless of if he plays tonight or not, Harris's latest injury, and the ones he suffered earlier this season, may have an affect on what the Nets will do before the Feb.18 trade deadline. Though team president Rod Thorn has already stated that it is "unlikely" Harris will be traded, it is believed that the only "untouchable" on the team is center Brook Lopez.
And while the Nets have fielded inquirers on Harris' availability from multiple teams, including the Lakers according to one report, his injuries could make it tough to move him.
Harris's physical ailments have cut into his production. After making the all-star team for the first time and averaging a career-high 21.3 points last season, Harris has been one of the major disappointments on the 4-41 Nets, averaging exactly six points less this season. He's also scored at least 20 points only seven times, including his season-high of 25, after reaching at least 30 points 10 times last season. He also hit the 40-point mark three times last season.
Though the Nets need Harris to return to last season's form if they are going to avoid breaking the all-time record for fewest wins - nine - Vandeweghe is not going to make him play before he is ready.
"He needs to come back and be Devin Harris," Vandeweghe said. "We're going to see how it goes, but I don't want him to come back unless he can shoot unrestricted."
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