Former Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell feels like the Lakers didn’t play him enough last season, according to Chase Hughes of NBC Sports Washington. The Wizards big man is happy to get a fresh start. He averaged 4.2 fewer shot attempts per game with the Lakers than his final year with the Clippers.
“I’m trying to just get back to playing basketball freely and just get back to enjoying the game and just being able to help my team on both ends of the floor. I didn’t really get to be utilized how I wanted to be last year,” he said. “I damn near felt like I had a season off. So, I’m using this preseason to really ramp back up and knock off a lot of the rust on my own game, really.”
Playing more would help to boost his value. Harrell, who is making $9.72MM this season, will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.
We have more from the Eastern Conference:
- Sixers swingman Matisse Thybulle has a sore right shoulder and will be out at least a week, Derek Bodner of The Athletic tweets. He’ll undergo rehab for the injury and be reevaluated sometime next week. Thybulle was named to the All-Defensive Second Team last season.
- Kyrie Irving is listed as ineligible to play for the Nets’ preseason home opener on Friday, according to The Associated Press. It’s an indication that Irving remains unvaccinated. He practiced with the Nets last week when they held training camp in San Diego, but he hasn’t been able to practice with the team under New York City restrictions.
- Cam Reddish heard his name pop up in trade rumors this offseason but the Hawks forward puts a positive spin on it, Chris Kirchner of The Athletic writes. “It didn’t affect me at all,” Reddish said. “It’s really a compliment when you think about it. It’s all good. I just have to control what I can control. Clearly, I have some decent value, so that’s a compliment.”
- Knicks second-year Obi Toppin is determined to establish himself after a spotty rookie campaign, Steve Popper of Newsday writes. He’s gotten in better shape and feels “a lot more comfortable” going into his sophomore campaign. “I feel like I’ve put in a lot of work this summer, not only me but everyone here,” he said. “We put in a lot of work and there is just the start. … I feel like I just have a little bit more knowledge of being here now. I feel like I’ve kind of put my foot in the water already, so I kind of have a feel of what it’s like playing out there.”
- Hawks star guard Trae Young feels all the pieces are in place for a championship run, according to Michael Pina of Sports Illustrated. “We have everything,” Young said. Pina takes an in-depth look at Young’s development and his supporting cast.
Idk why 2 20,5,5 guys equal one 15,7,7 guy. Id take that if I were the 6ers. Actually makes sense for them. Pacers would suck with him
Simmons missed 114 games in his 5 year career
Wiggins never has injury in his 6 year career
Incomparable
The Sixers would be fools to turn down Brogdon, LeVert, and a first round pick for Simmons. They won’t get a better deal than that.
Is Kyrie going to be a homeless crazy person 20 years from now?
Homeless, sitting in a bench, lecturing people about life…
and making sense
Does the earth have to be flat in order to sit inside a bench?
I think the earth is a square, that’s where the time zones come from
Firstly great deal for Sixers please take it.
Secondly I feel like a contending team should trade for Harrell. He’s getting just below 10 mil which is cheap. He’s a former sixth man of the year and arguably the best reserve big man. Teams are willing to pay 15+ mil for bench players so why not go for Harrell.
He’s in a contract year and he’s likely going to play really hard to secure himself another good contract.
Would be perfect for Bulls, Mavs, Nuggets, and Blazers
I agree Harrell is a good player and would help those teams, but I honestly think Washington believes they can make the playoffs, and I don’t really disagree, they have less star power and way more depth, i could see them at least being in the play in game, Harrell is more of a see where the wizards are near the deadline and make trade or not player in my opinion
Although I don’t think the Wizards make the playoffs they do have a slim chance.
That said I still don’t think it’s worth it in keeping Harrell. They could potentially get back 2 second round picks or a first round pick. Or if they didn’t want picks could package him with another player for someone they are interested in building with.
For example KP and M. Brown for Bertans, Harrell and a protected first?
Mavs get Bertans who gives you 80% of what KP does and you also get Harrell who is one of the best big men at coming off the bench. Plus a first round pick.
Wizards who are trying to be a playoff team and build around Beal get KP who would be a nice fit as a second third key player with Dinwiddie the other. They also get someone young like Brown who can fill centre with Bryant currently injured too. Not to mention KP can play minutes at the 5 in 3 point shooting line ups
I like Trez, he’s a fun player and provides energy for the fans and his teammates but he’s pretty much an unplayable player come playoffs-
Terrible footwork on D and has minimal upper body strength so he gets pushed around heavily down low
I wish it weren’t true and its no fun typing out, he’s certainly easy to root for nightly
I always kind of liked Harrell in HOU & the Clips, he was horrible last year for the LAL… but, I must say after reading his opinion in this article… well, I can say he has lost a lot of my respect & for sure I wouldn’t want him in my team even if he played for the Vets Min… dude sounds like a tool, all about him, that is ok if you are a star, for an average to mediocre role player… not so much!