Since the Los Angeles Lakers started the LeBron James era, there has been no shortage of failed signings and trades. Among the headliners is a short stint with center Montrezl Harrell. The veteran was added after having the best season of his career with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Lakers were coming off a championship season and somehow believed it was in the best interest of the franchise to completely change the roster. This included parting ways with centers pivotal to winning it all, with the addition of Harrell expected to be an upgrade.
This was far from the case with the veteran suffering major regression and becoming a piece the team would quickly part ways with. Harrell would spend time with the Wizards, Hornets, and 76ers before departing the league. Signing in the NBL, the former NBA center appears to have found a home after struggling with the Lakers led to two years of frustrations in a bench role.
Harrell signed a deal with the Adelaide 36ers to join the team for his second season. If the center is simply playing due to wanting to enjoy the game and play a role, this move makes sense for his career. The 36ers can offer Harrell an actual starting spot and not the extended bench depth that Harrell would be in a potential NBA signing.
It seems unlikely Harrell’s NBA career is going to resume at this point in his career. Aside from one great season with the Clippers, Harrell offered extremely limited shooting and was an inconsistent inside presence. The Lakers made the mistake of adding Harrell based on the outlier season and would pay the price.
For Harrell, it is a fitting final chapter for the eight-year NBA vet, allowing him to play a role and thrive with his unique style. The Lakers should have this serve as a reminder of how many poor decisions they made to waste the LeBron era. A mistake they cannot repeat with Luka as the team turns the page to the next superstar and attempts to build the roster around him this offseason.
