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Montrezl Harrell shocked the basketball world on Friday when he decided to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-year deal worth $19 million-plus. As it turns out, even the entire Los Angeles Clippers team were taken aback by the reigning Sixth Man of the Year’s decision to not only jump ship, but to also join their cross-town rivals in the Lakers.
This report comes via The Athletic:
Clippers players are shocked that Harrell went to the other room down the hallway at the Staples Center. Patrick Beverley voiced his displeasure on Twitter. Other players behind the scenes can’t believe that the Sixth Man of the Year is going to the Lakers. This will absolutely add some spice to the proceedings when they face each other as the Lakers show who owns the city still.
Prior to Friday, there was already some doubt as to whether or not Harrell would put pen to paper on an extension with the Clippers. The 26-year-old free agent had more than a few suitors after what turned out to be a tremendous contract year for him last season.
The fact that he eventually opted not to remain with the Clippers was not a total shocker; how he chose the Lakers — of all teams — was what brought about the rather unsavory reaction from Clippers fans. Just ask Patrick Beverley.
As the excerpt above states, Montrezl Harrell’s cross-town move only adds more fire to the flame that is the Lakers-Clippers rivalry. This has been billed as one of the most intriguing “feuds” in the NBA today, and at this point, it only got more interesting.