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3 teams for former Louisville basketball star Montrezl Harrell to consider

By Jacob Lane

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers reacts during the fourth quarter in a game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on February 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The Kings won 112-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers reacts during the fourth quarter in a game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on February 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The Kings won 112-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 28: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers drives to the basket past PJ Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of a game at Staples Center on October 28, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 28: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers drives to the basket past PJ Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of a game at Staples Center on October 28, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Charlotte Hornets

In a weakened Eastern conference oftentimes young teams are able to exceed expectations earlier than expected and make a run at one of the lower seeds in the NBA Playoffs. The Brooklyn Nets and Orlando Magic are two teams that have benefited over the last two seasons, and the Charlotte Hornets are one I think could be close to doing the same. In order to do so, they should look at add a younger player with experience; much like Montrezl Harrell.

Harrell will hit free agency for the first time in his career with significant interest from around the league, and if there’s one thing we all know about him winning is important. The Hornets allowed star franchise player Kemba Walker to walk last offseason, embracing the new era in Charlotte with their young core featuring Terry Rozier, breakout guard Devonte’ Graham, Miles Bridges, PJ Washington, Malik Monk, and Cody Zeller.

Charlotte also provides a few unique opportunities that no other city would present. Not only would Montrezl Harrell reunite with former Louisville basketball teammate Rozier, but he’d also get the chance to return to his home state of North Carolina where the Charlotte Hornets play just a few hours away from his hometown of Tarboro.

The Hornets play a fun, but slow, and sound style of basketball behind former Spurs assistant James Borrego and were mostly competitive throughout the abbreviated 2019-20 season going, 23-42 (10th in the East). Adding Harrell to play alongside dynamic guards Graham and Rozier, as well as versatile and athletics forwards in Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington, could give the Hornets a productive player and proven winner to their frontcourt while staying under the “youth” umbrella.

The Hornets do have also have former Indiana star Cody Zeller on the roster, who has been good by all accounts since being drafted fourth overall back in 2013, and while he can be a starting center in the NBA it seems his game has reached its ceiling. With one more season left on his contract, the Hornets could add Harrell into the fold this offseason and move Zeller to a bench role, like they did in spurts this season, or allow the two to play in tandem (that is rather unlikely due to neither being a floor spacer).

Harrell would provide a new dimension and upgrade in the frontcourt to the Charlotte offense, bringing in elite athleticism, a relentless motor, and someone who can be the leader and galvanizer of a young squad. He’s shown a much-improved ability to score around the rim the last two seasons, and he’d provide a needed boost to the Hornets offense who struggled to score in the paint last season. The inability to space the floor may be a concern, considering Harrell has not added much outside of the paint to his offensive game and the fact that the Hornets were near the bottom of the NBA in team shooting percentage.

Even with that being the case, Charlotte is a team capable of taking another leap in the Eastern Conference next season and adding a player the caliber of Harrell would only further enhance that coming to fruition.

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