Houston waived Harkless on Tuesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Harkless was dealt three times this offseason and now finds himself a free agent just a week before the 2022-23 campaign. The 10-year veteran should draw plenty of interest from contending teams around the league, but he may wait to sign a deal to see how the beginning of the season plays out. The 2012 first-round pick has played at least 15.0 minutes a game for six different teams during his career and is mainly known for his defensive prowess.
... See More... See Less
Rockets' Maurice Harkless: Headed to Houston
Rotowire
Harkless -- along with Derrick Favors, Ty Jerome, Theo Maledon and a 2025 second-round pick -- was traded from the Thunder to the Rockets on Thursday in exchange for David Nwaba, Sterling Brown, Trey Burke and Marquese Chriss, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
It's only been two days since the Thunder acquired Harkless from the Hawks via trade, but he'll now join his third team in three months as soon as the transaction is finalized. It's unclear what Harkless' role will be with the Rockets, but assuming he stays put, he'll provide depth at both forward spots for the 2022-23 season. In 47 appearances last season with the Kings, Harkless averaged 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 18.4 minutes per contest.
... See More... See Less
Thunder's Maurice Harkless: Dealt to Oklahoma City
Rotowire
Harkless -- along with a second-round pick -- was traded to the Thunder from the Hawks in exchange for Vit Krejci (knee) on Tuesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
The Hawks acquired Harkless in the deal that sent Kevin Huerter to the Kings, but the veteran forward is on the move again, though his fit in Oklahoma City is unclear. Harkless may serve as a depth option to fill some of the minutes that were expected for Chet Holmgren (foot), or he could be yet another bargaining piece for the Thunder as they continue to retool their roster.
... See More... See Less
Hawks' Maurice Harkless: Dealt to Atlanta
Rotowire
Harkless -- along with Justin Holiday and a future first-round pick -- was dealt from the Kings to the Hawks on Friday for Kevin Huerter, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports.
After the Hawks traded for Dejounte Murray, Huerter's role as a shooting guard became less needed, so Atlanta opted to load up on more defensive-minded wings. Harkless will presumably slot in as the backup power forward but can see minutes at the three as well. Last season, he saw 18.4 minutes per game and averaged 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds. He's an inconsistent three-point shooter -- 32.0 percent for his career on 1.9 attempts per game.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Maurice Harkless: Available Saturday
Rotowire
Harkless (ankle) will be available to play against Utah on Saturday, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.
Harkless missed Sacramento's last six games due to a sprained right ankle, but he appears set to make his return against the Jazz. The veteran will come off the bench for the contest and may be on a minutes restriction due to the extended absence.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Maurice Harkless: Questionable Saturday
Rotowire
Harkless (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's game against the Jazz.
Harkless hasn't played since Feb. 26 but could make his return. If he does, he may come off the bench and be on a minutes limit.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Maurice Harkless: Out Wednesday
Rotowire
Harkless (ankle) is unavailable for Wednesday's game against the Nuggets, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.
Harkless was questionable with a sprained right ankle and will miss his second straight game, though his status wasn't updated Wednesday until after opening tip. Regardless, his next chance to take the court will come Saturday at Utah.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Maurice Harkless: Questionable vs. Nuggets
Rotowire
Harkless (ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's game against the Nuggets.
Harkless has missed the past five games but could return Wednesday. If he does, he may be on a minutes limit, and it's not clear if he'll reclaim his starting spot immediately.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Maurice Harkless: Unavailable Monday
Rotowire
Harkless has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Knicks due to a right ankle sprain.
Harkless didn't appear in any of the last four games, and he's now dealing with a sprained ankle. His next chance to return will be Wednesday against the Nuggets.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Maurice Harkless: Steps out of starting five
Rotowire
Harkless will come off the bench Monday against the Thunder, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.
Harkless started in his past 10 appearances but will exit the lineup after totaling nine points (4-7 FG, 1-4 3Pt), three rebounds and one block in 26 minutes over the last two games. Trey Lyles will start in his place for Sacramento.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Maurice Harkless: Vanishes in loss
Rotowire
Harkless posted one point (0-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and two rebounds across 18 minutes during Monday's 109-85 loss to Brooklyn.
Harkless entered Monday averaging 13.8 points on 56.8 percent shooting over five contests in January, but he lost all semblance of being a productive contributor against Brooklyn. Monday can serve as a reminder to temper expectations for the 28-year-old, who is averaging 5.2 points and 2.6 rebounds across 39 appearances this season.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Maurice Harkless: Productive effort in win
Rotowire
Harkless racked up 17 points (5-5 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 4-5 FT), eight rebounds and one block over 30 minutes during Saturday's 123-110 win over Washington.
Harkless has started in each of Sacramento's last six games and has been productive, scoring in double digits in four of the last five and also pulling down at least eight rebounds in two of the last three. The veteran is averaging just 7.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game when playing as a starter (20 games), but there's no question his numbers are experiencing an uptick that should translate into a bigger fantasy role if he's able to keep his place as a starter going forward.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Maurice Harkless: Officially playing, starting
Rotowire
Harkless (ankle) will start Saturday's matchup against the Wizards, Sean Cunningham of ABC 10 Sacramento reports.
As expected, Harkless makes his return following a one-game absence. His return pushes Chimezie Metu to the bench.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Maurice Harkless: Expected to play, start
Rotowire
Harkless (ankle) is active for Saturday's game against the Wizards and is expected to play and start, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.
The Kings are going as far as possible to say Harkless is starting Saturday without definitively confirming it. But, assuming that's the case, Chimezie Metu will head back to the bench while Domantas Sabonis starts at center.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Maurice Harkless: Questionable Saturday
Rotowire
Harkless (ankle) is questionable for Saturday's matchup against the Wizards.
Harkless' absence opened up a spot for Chimezie Metu to start alongside the newly-acquired Domantas Sabonis. It's unclear how the rotation will shake when Harkless is available, though he'll presumably get the nod at power forward.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Maurice Harkless: Ruled out Wednesday
Rotowire
Harkless (ankle) has been officially ruled out for Wednesday's contest against the Timberwolves, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports.
Harkless left Tuesday's game early with the ankle injury that will now keep him from playing Wednesday. With Marvin Bagley also sidelined, Chimezie Metu and Harrison Barnes should see an uptick in playing time. Harkless' next chance to return will be Saturday against the Wizards.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Maurice Harkless: Unlikely to play Wednesday
Rotowire
Harkless (ankle) is doubtful Wednesday against the Timberwolves.
Harkless exited Tuesday's game with a sprained right ankle, so it's not surprising that he'll likely sit out one day later. It remains to be seen how the frontcourt shakes out with Marvin Bagley (ankle) questionable and Domantas Sabonis' (recently traded) status murky.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Maurice Harkless: Exits with ankle injury
Rotowire
Harkless won't return to Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves due to a right ankle injury, Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee reports. He finished the game with six points (2-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT) in 10 minutes.
With the Kings playing the Timberwolves again Wednesday, Harkless should be considered questionable for that contest. If Harkless is sidelined, how the minutes at power forward will shake out will also depend on the availability of Richaun Holmes (personal), Domantas Sabonis (recently acquired) and Marvin Bagley (ankle).
... See More... See Less
Kings' Maurice Harkless: Notches double-double Saturday
Rotowire
Harkless closed with 18 points (7-14 FG, 4-8 3Pt), 11 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 38 minutes during Saturday's 113-103 victory over Oklahoma City.
Harkless led Sacramento in rebounding and registered his first double-double of the campaign in the victory. He was strictly a bench player as of a week ago, but the veteran has started four straight contests and is averaging 15.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.7 three-pointers, 2.7 steals and 1.3 blocks over his past three games. Those numbers -- especially the triples and steals -- are certainly worth short-term fantasy consideration, though Harkless could return to a bench role when Marvin Bagley (ankle) is able to return.
... See More... See Less
Kings' Maurice Harkless: Tallies six steals Thursday
Rotowire
Harkless supplied 18 points (7-12 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, two assists, one block and six steals over 31 minutes during Thursday's 126-114 loss to the Warriors.
Harkless made his third straight start for Sacramento and came through with his best performance of the campaign. The veteran forward's 18 points were his most this season, and his six thefts tied a career high. Harkless has registered double-digit points in two straight contests after failing to reach that achievement in his previous 19 appearances.
