Harris Joins Timberwolves Summer Team

NIAGARA FALLS, NY (WIVB) - Harris and Flynn.  Together again.  As always.  Paul Harris has been invited to join the Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Summer League team in Las Vegas.  He will play on the same squad as his Niagara Falls and Syracuse teammate, Jonny Flynn.  The Timberwolves took Flynn in the first round of Thursday's NBA Draft.

Harris, who was not drafted, chose Minnesota over an offer from the Chicago Bulls.  An invitation means that Harris will play for Minnesota's squad in the NBA Summer League.  Those games are played in Las Vegas from July 11-20.  If Harris is impressive, he would then receive an invitation to the Timberwolves training camp, which would give him a chance to make the final roster.  Nothing is promised with the summer league invitation, just a chance to impress the team's decision makers. 

According to sources close to Harris, the chance to play again with Flynn was a factor in picking Minnesota.  But the Timberwolves lack of standout players at shooting guard and small forward, Harris' positions, was an even bigger part of the decision.  It is not believed that Flynn spoke to T-Wolves management about Harris.

The NBA Summer League features 21 teams playing games at the Thomas and Mack Center, and Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas.  Four to seven games are played daily, and nearly all of the NBA's recent top draft picks will suit up.  For instance, Flynn will play for the Minnesota team despite being the 6th overall pick in the Draft.  The rules are slightly different, with ten minute quarters instead of 12 minutes.

Currently, Flynn and Harris would be the only WNY natives playing in the NBA.