LA Clippers: Top 3 questions for the team heading into the offseason
2. What do the LA Clippers do with Montrezl Harrell?
As far as trades and free agency go, what the LA Clippers do with Montrezl Harrell will play a big factor.
Here are the facts:
- Montrezl Harrell just won Sixth Man of the Year.
- He is coming off a career-year.
- He is only 26-years-old.
- He looked like a non-factor in the playoffs.
Where does that leave him? Prior to the postseason, some predicted he could get somewhere in the $15 million a year range, a price I wouldn’t have wanted the Clippers to give him even before I saw how limited he really was in the postseason.
So what is his value? I have absolutely no idea. Could I see the New York Knicks overpaying for him? Absolutely. Could I see the Clippers convincing him to come back on a one year deal with a player option for the second, allowing him to redeem himself before seeking a big payday? Sure.
light. More. Harrell must prove he can play against bigger centers
I think the first option is most likely, however. Harrell signed with Klutch Sports this year. If Klutch is good for anything, it’s making sure their players get paid. Harrell might see a team like the Knicks, the Hornets, or the Hawks as a viable option to be a second option and move there. I can’t say I blame him, either. If you can get paid, go get paid.
For the Clippers, though, I can honestly say I don’t want him back unless it’s on an extremely team-friendly deal. We saw time and time again how his smaller stature at the center position kept him from being effective against both Dallas and Denver and Doc Rivers refused to move away from him in favor of Ivica Zubac.
Speaking of, Zubac is good. He’s also just 23-years-old, on a team-friendly contract, and can still improve. Bringing Harrell back for a high dollar amount implies he will get more minutes and will only hamper Zu’s growth.
All of this isn’t to mention that both George and Leonard are free agents in 2021 and the team will make sure they don’t get near the hard cap as they try to re-sign them. Overpaying Harrell can complicate things in the future, just as much as now. The team has to make a decision on Harrell (if he even wants to come back) which will affect them long-term.