The New York Knicks signed former Toronto Raptors guard Jalen Harris to a contract on Sunday.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Harris was drafted in the second round, 59th overall, by the Raptors in 2020. He played 13 games for the Raptors during the 2020-21 season averaging 7.4 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
The 24-year-old from Dallas was dismissed and disqualified from the NBA for violating the terms of its anti-drug program in 2021.
He was reinstated by the league last month. The Raptors retained Harris' restricted free agent rights, however, they opted to let their tender window lapse, according to Sportsnet's Blake Murphy.
The NBA levied its punishment against Harris on July 1, 2021, after he tested positive for a "drug of abuse." His contract with the Raptors was rendered null and void, and he entered the league's drugs of abuse program. The drugs the NBA classifies on that list, as detailed by the collective bargaining agreement, are wide-ranging. But the list does not include marijuana or steroids, which have their own classifications.
The specific nature of Harris' violation was not disclosed publicly.
When a veteran player violates the league's anti-drug policy, they face, at least, an automatic two-year dismissal. Because Harris was a rookie at the time of his infraction, the length of the dismissal was only one year, after which he could apply for reinstatement.
During his year away from the NBA, Harris played 18 games with Vanoli Cremona in Italy as well as the expansion Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League.
