Montrezl Harrell stuns Clippers, signs value deal with Lakers

Montrezl Harrell stunned the Clippers, as he left them to join the Lakers.

The LA Clippers had the best bench in the league last year, and Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell attacking the rim with his trademark ferocity was the main reason why. While the energetic big man had no shortage of suitors this offseason, he chose to stab his old team in the back by taking a major discount to sign with their biggest enemy.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst confirmed that Harrell is swapping Staples Center locker rooms, signing with the Los Angeles Lakers for two years and $19 million, with the second year coming as part of a player option. Harrell is represented by Rich Paul and Klutch Sports, who also represent LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Montrezl Harrell was the best bench player in the league last year

Harrell is not a great defender or shooter, but he decided to own his role as a rim-runner and ended up with some hardware at the end of this season. Harrell has topped double-figures in each of the last three seasons, with 2019-20’s 18.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game serving as his crowning achievement.

Harrell could either start as the center in LA, or he could end up on the Lakers’ bench and dominate reserves as he did with the Clippers. With all of Dwight Howard’s minutes freed up following the future Hall-of-Famer’s own surprising defection to the Philadelphia 76ers, Harrell has all the tools necessary to both replicate his statistical production and chase a championship ring.

In a year in which Mason Plumlee was able to get $25 million over three years, the Lakers pulled the reigning Sixth Man of the Year away from their most hated rival for the Mid-Level Exception. Clippers fans already had to hate the thought of losing Harrell, but watching him go to the Lakers has to hurt them to the core.