Maurice Harkless

Maurice José "Moe" Harkless (born May 11, 1993) is an American-Puerto Rican former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the St. John's Red Storm before being drafted 15th overall, after his freshman season, in the 2012 NBA draft. Harkless has represented the Puerto Rican national team internationally.

High school career Harkless was born and adopted in New York City. He attended Forest Hills High School in Queens, before transferring to South Kent School in Connecticut prior to his senior season. He earned all-metro honors from both the Chicago Daily News and New York Post in 2008–09 and 2009–10, in addition to being named the New York Daily Newss Queens High School Player of the Year in 2009–10 after averaging 16.5 points and 11.5 rebounds. At South Kent in 2010–11, he averaged 27.2 points, 13.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 3.1 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game.

Professional career

Orlando Magic (2012–2015)

On June 28, 2012, Harkless was selected with the 15th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. On August 10, 2012, he was traded from Philadelphia to the Orlando Magic as part of a four-team, 12-player deal. Harkless impressed in his first NBA season, averaging 8.2 points per game and providing good defense. He scored in double figures 29 times and had 20-plus points four times, including a career-high 28 points on April 1 against the Houston Rockets.

Harkless bottomed out in 2014–15, receiving minimal playing time and creating questions about his future. He played in only a career-low 45 games during his third season in Orlando despite good health. Harkless sat behind fellow forwards Tobias Harris and Aaron Gordon during the 2014–15 season and averaged just 15 minutes per game. On March 18 against the Dallas Mavericks, Harkless started for Harris and played 36 minutes. He scored 18 points on 8-of-15 shooting, including two 3-pointers, grabbed six rebounds and recorded four steals. In the next game however against the Portland Trail Blazers, Harkless missed five of six shots and finished with just two points in 28 minutes. He made little impact the rest of the season. He worked his way up from the end of the bench to starter by the end of the 2015–16 season. Portland began to play small late in the season by inserting Harkless into the lineup. After averaging 6.4 points and 3.6 rebounds a game during the regular season, Harkless rode his inspired play into the playoffs, boosting his numbers to 11 points and 5.1 rebounds respectively. On February 10, 2016, he set season highs with 19 points and 13 rebounds in a 116–103 win over the Houston Rockets. On April 5, 2016, he recorded a season-high 20 points and a career-high 16 rebounds in a 115–107 win over the Sacramento Kings.

A restricted free agent over the summer, Harkless was expected to be re-signed, but when the Trail Blazers added Evan Turner and reacquired Allen Crabbe, it appeared Harkless would be heading elsewhere. However, on July 27, 2016, Harkless signed a four-year, $40 million contract to remain with the team. Harkless improved his 3-point shooting during the 2016–17 season, increasing his average from 28 percent to 35 percent. On December 23, he scored a season-high 22 points against the Los Angeles Lakers. He found himself in and out of the rotation until an injury to Evan Turner in February saw Harkless return to the starting line-up. On April 9, 2019, he scored 26 points and hit a corner 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift the Trail Blazers to a 104–101 win over the Lakers.

Los Angeles Clippers (2019–2020) On July 6, 2019, Harkless was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers along with a protected first round pick from the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a four-team trade, in which Miami acquired Jimmy Butler and the Portland Trail Blazers acquired Hassan Whiteside.

New York Knicks (2020) On February 6, 2020, Harkless was traded to the New York Knicks in exchange for Marcus Morris in a three-team deal along with the Washington Wizards, with Los Angeles sending Jerome Robinson to Washington in exchange for Isaiah Thomas.

Miami Heat (2020–2021) On November 23, 2020, Harkless signed with the Miami Heat.

Sacramento Kings (2021–2022) On March 25, 2021, Harkless and Chris Silva were traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Nemanja Bjelica. On August 7, 2021, Harkless re-signed with the Kings.

On July 6, 2022, Harkless was traded to the Atlanta Hawks along with Justin Holiday and a 2024 first-round draft pick in exchange for Kevin Huerter. Later in the off-season, on September 27, he was traded again to the Oklahoma City Thunder with a second-round pick for Vít Krejčí to get Atlanta under the luxury tax. Three days later, on September 30, Harkless was traded again, along with Ty Jerome, Derrick Favors, Théo Maledon and a future second-round pick, to the Houston Rockets in exchange for David Nwaba, Sterling Brown, Trey Burke, and Marquese Chriss. On October 11, he was waived.

Rip City Remix (2023–2024) On November 26, 2023, Harkless joined the Rip City Remix of the NBA G League, but was waived on January 30, 2024.

National team career In January 2014, Harkless declared his interest in playing for Puerto Rico at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup following a series of meetings with coach Paco Olmos. However, he later withdrew his name from contention in July 2014 in favor of preparing for the 2014–15 NBA season.

Career statistics

NBA Regular season

Playoffs

College

Personal life Harkless is the son of Rosa Harkless. He has one sister, Shakima Harkless, and a brother, Tyler Rodgers. He was raised by grandmother Barbara Harkless.