The Los Angeles Clippers are still mulling a decision they will soon have to make, as Montrezl Harrell will hit free agency this summer, and the unrestricted talent could leave for nothing if the Clippers don't offer a number gaudy enough for his services.
Some league executives don't believe the Sixth Man of the Year candidate is a viable starting center, as his numbers considerably drop against starting-caliber big men. Furthermore, one particular executive believes he doesn't mix well with starter Ivica Zubac to play in the same frontcourt.
“Harrell isn't a starter. His numbers against frontline centers aren't good,” an Eastern Conference executive told Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report. “He and Zubac can't play together.”
Zubac, who signed a four-year, $28.5 million deal this summer after the Clippers acquired him in trade with the Los Angeles Lakers last season, is playing phantom-like starter minutes with the team — largely vanishing in late-game situations in favor of smaller, better-shooting options.
Montrezl Harrell, who is averaging a career-high 18.6 points and 7.4 rebounds this season, is mostly abusing his counterparts in the second unit, feasting against lower-caliber players — numbers that drop when the undersized center faces up against legitimate 7-footers and starting-caliber power forwards.
While trading Zubac and making Harrell a full-time starter could be an option, most executives don't see him as a 30-minute-a-night talent that can play the position as well as he operates in his current role.
The Clippers will have to outbid other teams for his services, but they have yet to make that decision after paying sizable millions to Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Patrick Beverley, and many other signings this past summer.
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