LA Clippers: Montrezl Harrell Leaves Clips, Signs With Lakers

After a relatively quiet start to free agency, it’s been announced. LA Clippers center Montrezl Harrel is signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The wait and wondering of where Montrezl Harrell is going is over. The LA Clippers’ reigning 6th Man of the Year has signed with the Los Angeles Lakers on a 2 year, $19 Million contract.

It came as a bit of a surprise, but some among Clippers Twitter saw the writing on the wall when Dwight Howard left the Lakers to join the 76ers.

Patrick Beverley already took to Twitter to voice his surprise

https://twitter.com/patbev21/status/1329978615350452225?s=20

The bench unit will look different without Trezz on it. Especially in the regular season, we’re used to seeing Trezz feast in the pick and roll with Lou Williams, and the Clippers will have to replace that production.

It was a rocky playoffs for the energetic big man, but he always came ready to play and helped push the Clippers through the load management games when Kawhi sat out.

Harrell had offers from Charlotte and the Lakers, and took less money to play in Los Angeles. While it’s hard to blame him, this one will sting just a bit because he’s leaving for the other Los Angeles team.

What hasn’t been mentioned is whether the Clippers made an offer; did Harrell turn down a Clips offer in favor of leaving, or did the Clips just let him walk?

We might not be told, but the reaction from Beverley at least suggests that this took some of the players by surprise. The race is now on to replace some of Harrell’s production. It is hard to replace that level of scoring, but if the Clippers let him walk, they may value other skills, like rebounding and defense, in their backup big.

Keep posted here on Clipperholics and on social media as free agency continues.