Louisville Basketball: Goals for Each Former Card in the NBA
Montrezl Harrell
Goal: Become Full-Time Starter for Clippers
Harrell had a fantastic finish to the 2017-18 season, and finished with 11 points, 4 rebounds, an assist, and 0.7 blocks. After speculation in the offseason that he would not be re-signed, he wound up landing a two year deal with the Clippers.
To the surprise of many, Harrell finished the preseason with a lot of speculation that he could be the starter by the end of the 2019 season. Marcin Gortat has been a mainstay as a center in the league for nearly a decade, and was brought in to fill the void at center that DeAndre Jordan left when he moved to the Mavs.
Here’s another look at that Montrezl Harrell slam from the first quarter, from above the Clipper basket: pic.twitter.com/AtapbnZb1i
— Garrett Chorpenning (@gachorpenning) October 18, 2018
However, Harrell brings a lot more variety, and a mismatch problem for larger, but less mobile centers. Gortat is in the mold of the traditional tall, lanky, back-to-the basket or face up centers. Harrell, on the other hand, has an outside shot, above average ball handling skills for someone of his size, and an unstoppable motor. Though he is 6 foot 8, Harrell’s length and athleticism allows him to stay with taller centers.
As the season goes on, the Clippers could be searching for answers- and Harrell would be a great change of pace. Look for his numbers to increase, and for the 24-year-old to push for a full-time starting spot by the spring.
Damion Lee
Goal: Force the Warriors to Convert Two-Way to Guaranteed Deal
Lee has the chance to be a contributor for the defending champs by years end, but the journey won’t be easy. After being called up to the Atlanta Hawks for the last 15 games last season, and showing that he was more than worthy of a full-time roster spot- he was finally given that chance with the Warriors.
Lee is under a two-way contract with Golden State, and their G-League affiliate Santa Cruz. He didn’t play in the preseason due to injury, so he is likely to begin the season in Santa Cruz, but should any Warriors be sidelined, Lee is likely to have his name called. If he can contribute for Golden State anywhere near the fashion that he did in Atlanta, look for Lee to lock down a full-time roster spot by year’s end.