Montrezl Harrell decided to sign with the Lakers because he wasn’t convinced the Clippers wanted to keep him, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Speaking to the media for the first time since accepting a two-year, $19MM offer to change teams, Harrell indicated that he would have remained with the Clippers if he believed they were interested.
“I feel that if you spend your career in any place long enough, you’re going to want to still keep playing there and keep growing there,” he said. “So, of course I still have great respect for those guys and for that organization. But like I said, as far as they wanted me back, obviously it doesn’t seem that way, does it?”
The new deal for the reigning Sixth Man of the Year contains a player option for 2021/22 that could have him back on the market in July. Some observers have suggested his connection to Klutch Sports prompted him to join fellow clients LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but Harrell said that wasn’t a factor.
“As far as my decision, it didn’t have any effect, because at the end of the day, my decision doesn’t affect neither one of those guys’ lives as far as their living conditions,” he said. “I have a family I have to provide for, so my decision was my decision.”
There’s more from the Pacific Division:
- Any further roster upgrades for the Clippers may have to come through trades, according to Andrew Greif of The Los Angeles Times, who identifies Ivica Zubac, Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams as their best assets. A rival executive tells Greif that Zubac would likely bring the greatest return because he’s only 23 and can still develop his game. Zubac is under contract for three more seasons at a total of $21MM. Williams, who is in the final year of his deal at $8MM, may have limited trade value because of his age and defensive liabilities. Executives who Greif spoke to believe it would be difficult to unload Beverley’s contract, which pays him $27MM over the next two seasons, and the Clippers would likely have to attach draft picks to move him.
- After being traded from Phoenix to the Warriors, Kelly Oubre appeared to take a shot at Suns owner Robert Sarver, notes Nick Friedell of ESPN. “I can play for an owner — somebody who actually cares about the organization and not just the perception of the organization on the media end of it,” Oubre said in a radio interview.
- New Kings general manager Monte McNair looked for versatile players in the draft and tried to alter the roster to better fit De’Aaron Fox‘s timeline, writes Greg Wissinger of The Sacramento Bee. That’s why he pursued 25-year-old Wesley Iwundu and 26-year-old Willy Hernangomez, although both signed with other teams.
In harrells words: “they didnt give me want i wanted, so I took the same deal to join the champs”
Salty!
Might of had something to do with Jokic using him for a chew toy.
That is true, but he wss sixth man of the year and other guys who barely or didn’t play at all in the playoffs(leonard, plumlee) got paid more than him
I like Harrell, just sayin, if he felt unwanted that may have been why.
In Harrells defense he should have never been guarding a guy like the Joker in the first place
Sac media signing McNair’s praises for moves he “tried to do.” That’s how uneventful this off-season has been for them
Clippers did not come into bubble focused. For whatever reason. And it got to them. Lakers were focused, thank Bron. Clippers lucked out replacing Harrell with Ibaka. Best thing they could do now. Is move Beverley. Best way if they can, is probably with Lou. If they can do that and get playmaking PG. That would be an upgrade. Oturu, Scrubb were good pickups in draft.
I dont think that trade would offset what they lose tho-
George Hill makes a lot of sense here
I really think they had all the eggs in the Rondo basket and for 7.5 it really falls under the FO for not finding a way to make it work….And then they spend the money on MM ?