Montrezl Harrell – Portland Trail Blazers
After primarily serving as a spectator on Philadelphia’s bench this past season, Montrezl Harrell recently declined his player option for next season. The former Sixth Man of the Year will now hit the free agent market and is likely looking for a place where he will earn some legitimate minutes. If so, one team who could utilize his services is the Portland Trail Blazers.
Portland will be on the hunt for more depth at the center position this off-season. While Harrell is not a traditional center, as he’s extremely undersized, he could provide some assistance. They also need more second-unit scoring. Per NBA.com/stats, Portland’s bench put up a mere 27.8 points per game this past season, which was the fewest in the league. In the five years prior to this one, Harrell averaged a quality 14.5 points per contest, having started in just 14 of his 361 games in that timeframe.
Wherever he lands, Harrell will not command a hefty contract; he’s likely just looking for a chance to showcase that he can still play. If the Blazers could land him on a minimum deal, it would be a minor move that could pay off in a big way if the former Sixth Man of the Year can bring some of his scoring to a bench brigade that severely lacks it. Keep an eye on the Blazers as a Harrell suitor.