Reigning Kia NBA Sixth Man Montrezl Harrell is reportedly swapping L.A. jerseys.
With the reported departure of Dwight Howard for Philadelphia, the Lakers needed a new center. They didn’t need to look far.
Montrezl Harrell left the LA Clippers to sign with the reigning champion Lakers on Sunday. His high-energy play and finishing could mesh well with the playmaking of 2019-20 assists leader LeBron James while giving the Lakers the continued option of playing Anthony Davis at power forward, his preferred position.
Harrell’s contract is reportedly for two years and $19 million.
OFFICIAL: The reigning Sixth Man of the Year is joining the defending champs 😤 pic.twitter.com/ajVYAHtDdC
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 23, 2020
The reigning Kia NBA Sixth Man award winner, Harrell averaged career-highs in per-game scoring (18.6) and rebounding (7.1) last season. The 6-foot-7 big man has outperformed all expectations since being drafted 32nd overall by Houston in 2015, but is coming off a poor playoff performance in which he averaged less than 20 minutes per contest.
This move would bolster an already productive offseason for the Lakers, who acquired another Sixth Man candidate in Dennis Schroder via trade with Oklahoma City earlier this week. Los Angeles has also come to a reported agreement with free agent swingman Wesley Matthews. Davis’ free agency, meanwhile, remains a top priority for the defending champs. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s free agent status is also up in the air.
