With the March 25 negotiation deadline fast approaching, teams need to decide soon if they are happy with their lists or if updates are needed. For the Los Angeles Lakers, rumors have put them in search of updates, but it seems that not every rumor leads them to look further.
Montrezl Harrell, who the Lakers signed with a two-year contract of around $ 19 million this off-season with a second-year player option, has been as good as announced in 43 games, mostly in the role of bank for which he is known .
This season, Harrell has averaged 14.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 0.8 blocks in 64.1% of shots. Although the averages per game fell compared to last season’s numbers, earning him the Sixth Man of the Year award, his shot remained efficient. His percentage of field goals is the best since the 2016-17 season, when he wore a Houston Rockets uniform.
However, despite the steady production he provided to the Lakers, Harrell does not appear to be an untouchable piece for the rotation, as the Charlotte Hornets showed a formal interest in the great man and LA listened, according to Jake Fischer of the Bleacher Report:
Charlotte also called the Lakers about Montrezl Harrell, the Los Angeles injury center, the sources said, and the current champions seem ready to accept offers.
The Hornets are currently in eighth place in the congested Eastern Conference, with a minimum of games separating the teams. Charlotte surprised the teams with how energetic and cohesive they seem, although losing Lamelo Ball – which LeBron James praised after the two teams clashed – for the rest of the season will be difficult to overcome.
However, Charlotte could benefit from a refurbishment of her attack court. Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo have alternated as starters throughout the season and, although they have done well, they are likely to be better optimized to leave the bench. The Hornets were also interested in Harrell as a free agent last season, although he chose the Lakers.
It is unclear what the Lakers would like in return. If LA is looking for a great man to return to, Biyombo and Zeller, both 28, are on expiry contracts. PJ Washington, the versatile 22-year-old striker, is unlikely to leave.
The same report also detailed how Devonte ‘Graham could be out, and the Lakers could use a ball control scorer who can also create for others. But Graham, who will be a restricted free agent this off-season, is unlikely to come out with the news about Ball’s situation anymore, since Charlotte would need his services.
The Hornets also have their own first-round choices from 2021 to 2027 if the Lakers want one in return, since they have no draft capital, so a choice plus a player may be a hypothetical scenario.
However, this deadline for negotiation will end, it will be interesting to see how LA values its squad while hoping to defend its recent victory in the NBA championship.
James ‘injury could affect the Lakers’ mentality in the negotiation deadline
With LeBron James out with a high right ankle sprain, the Lakers are in a precarious position as to how they want to approach the negotiation deadline. The team is already short of players, as Anthony Davis and Jared Dudley are injured and Marc Gasol has not played for several weeks because of health and safety protocols.
James’ injury served as the last blow the franchise faced, and Lakers coach Frank Vogel said the team’s mentality when entering the negotiation deadline could change.
“I think it will certainly have an impact on our mentality ahead of the negotiation deadline, but I don’t know how,” said Vogel ahead of Sunday’s game against the Phoenix Suns. “I didn’t have any of those conversations overnight in the middle of a consecutive conversation. His whole focus is on what we have to do to win this game.
“We will enter into deeper conversations in the next few days. Obviously, when you have two key guys coming out, you look at the trading market differently and see the acquisition market differently. These are the conversations that we will have in the coming days. “
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