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Recent NBA trade rumors suggest that Montrezl Harrell will be opting into the second year of his deal with the LA Lakers. The report is from Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report and it presents all sorts of possibilities for the Lakers.
“The most recent intel on Harrell suggests he may be leaning toward opting in,” Pincus wrote.
Montrezl Harrell was expected to decline his player option this offseason because he is worth more than the $9.7 million deal that he signed last summer. However, there aren’t many teams with cap space who can sign him to a larger contract.
But Pincus also was of the opinion that Harrell’s opting in could be a sign that the LA Lakers are going to use him as part of a bigger deal. That is most likely why he will choose to do so. Opting in opens up all sorts of possibilities for the LA Lakers.
Here are the three deals that would make sense for them if Montrezl Harrell decides to do so:
3. LA Lakers receive: Kevin Huerter and Kris Dunn
Atlanta Hawks receive: Montrezl Harrell
The Atlanta Hawks have an abundance of talented forwards such as Cam Reddish, De’Andre Hunter, Danilo Gallinari and Kevin Huerter. There’s also free-agent-to-be John Collins, whose status this offseason is still up in the air. If all four of them are healthy next season, there’s no guarantee that all of them will have ample playing time.
Additionally, they won’t have a backup center for a while with Onyeka Okongwu out for about six months after undergoing shoulder surgery on Wednesday.
The LA Lakers can help them with these “problems.” They can offer Montrezl Harrell and take back Huerter with Kris Dunn as a salary filler, plus a future second round pick.
Huerter had a breakout postseason, posting 11.1 points per contest and had two games of 20 points or more. His shooting will be invaluable to the LA Lakers who are looking to add more shooters around LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
For the Hawks, they get the backup center they need, with Montrezl Harrell playing behind Clint Capella.
2. LA Lakers receive: Buddy Hield, Delon Wright
Sacramento Kings receive: Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harell
In a trade that brings in more scoring from the perimeter, the LA Lakers could package Montrezl Harrell to add to their backcourt with Buddy Hield. It would also mean bringing in Delon Wright in exchange for Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell.
The LA Lakers would get a starting backcourt featuring Buddy Hield and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope with, hopefully, Delon Wright, Alex Caruso and Talen Horton-Tucker coming off the bench. The three-point shooting that was sorely lacking this past season will be addressed by these additions.
The Sacramento Kings get two dynamic players from the LA Lakers who could shore up their frontcourt. Kuzma reunites with the coach who utilized his skills to the fullest and gave him the opportunity to be a versatile scorer. Montrezl Harrell won’t have much competition at center and will get a lot of playing time to showcase his skills to get a bigger paycheck next offseason.
1. LA Lakers receive: Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner
Indiana Pacers receive: Dennis Schroder, Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harell
In a swap of point guards and big men with the Indiana Pacers, this trade gives the LA Lakers a three-point shooting playmaker and a two-time blocks champion. Aside from Dennis Schroder and Montrezl Harrell, they get Kuzma whose potential could be unlocked in different surroundings.
There were rumors that Turner and All-Star Domantas Sabonis didn’t exactly get along well last season and this trade offers them a way out of that tense situation while giving them a presence in the paint as well. Schroder and Kuzma can start alongside Sabonis and crew while Montrezl Harell provides a spark off their bench.
The LA Lakers will be hard capped after a sign-and-trade involving Schroder but this gives them two very solid players who will make them a better defensive team that could rival the 2019-20 championship team.
