Brooklyn Nets clear cap space with trade of Joe Harris to Pistons

Feb 1, 2020; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Brooklyn Nets forward Joe Harris (12) runs down the court after making a three point shot during the second half of the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Harris is headed to the Detroit Pistons as the Brooklyn Nets are clearing some salary cap space.

The two teams agreed to a trade on Friday that sends Harris and two second-round picks to the Pistons. The trade was a straight salary dump for the Nets, who have created a $20 million trade exception. They will now have some flexibility to match offer sheets for Cam Johnson.

The picks Detroit is receiving include a 2027 second-round pick from the Dallas Mavericks and 2029 Milwaukee Bucks second-round pick.

Harris is entering the final season of his four-year, $75 million contract. He is set to earn $19.9 million in the upcoming season.

Harris is a 9-year NBA veteran who didn’t really come into his own until the Nets signed him in 2016. In Brooklyn, he became a strong scorer and developed into an excellent 3-point shooter who led the league in three-point percentage in 2018-2019 and 2020-2021.

Harris’ role on the team decreased last year as he became more of a bench player and averaged just 20.6 minutes per game, compared to over 30 minutes per game each of the previous four seasons.

The addition of the 31-year-old will bring a nice outside shooter to Detroit and give their young team a veteran presence.