Montrezl Harrell is staying in Los Angeles (and the Staples Center), but with the other team. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Harrell has agreed to a two-year (with an option in the second year), $19 million-plus contract with the Lakers, after spending the past three seasons with the Clippers.
Harrell, 26, was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year for the 2019-20 season. The 6’7″ center/power forward averaged 18.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 63 games for the Clippers. His 23.2 Player Efficiency Rating ranked 16th in the NBA (and was actually a lower mark than his previous two seasons).
The University of Louisville product is a high-effort, energetic player who will be a terrific boost to the frontcourt depth of the defending NBA champions alongside LeBron James, (likely) Anthony Davis, and company.
And it could be a big loss in the same department for the Clippers. The Clippers’ Patrick Beverley has already made his frustration clear on Twitter:
The ever-increasing Clippers-Lakers rivalry may go up another level in the 2020-21 season.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.