Reigning Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell shocked NBA fans by signing with the Los Angeles Lakers. Harrell, who is signed to Klutch Sports, already has an existing relationship with LeBron James and will embrace this opportunity to play the 2020 NBA champions. “We look at our agency as a family in general. In the offseason, we host numerous Kluth events and pickup games. This not just an agency. It’s a top-tier group of guys outside who get to come together outside of their respective teams.” Events are a chance for them to talk about things outside of the basketball world, Harrell states.
When Harrell addressed media for the first time since his signing, he said he would not change his game. Every time he laces up his sneakers, he states that he will put it all on the floor. Harrell will bring the same tenacity and energy that he has brought teams his entire career. Harrell contributes his work ethic to his upbringing and understands how he will complement James and Anthony Davis. “Coming from where I come from, and to make it out that situation is a fight in its own. Always being in an underdog position, always having to work, overcome, and do all the things you don’t see in the stat sheet every night and still get noticed.” Harrell chuckled and said it wouldn’t be hard to be an asset to two of the top premier superstars in the league. “These guys’ record speaks for itself, and when you have high caliber guys on the floor, I don’t think it’s going to take much to get used because I don’t feel like I have to play one particular style. I want to do whatever it takes to win a game.”
After talking with his family and agent, signing with the Lakers became a business decision. He inferred that it was the best decision for him personally, and that’s where he decided where he wanted to go. “I feel blessed to be here. I’m going to be with a team that wanted me, with a group of guys that I will gravitate towards and build chemistry with fast. We’re going to have the same feeling they had last year, and that is to win a championship.”
Once the Harrell signing made headlines, Harrell said the calls from former teammates came in right away. The friends he made during his time with the Clippers understand the business. “Honestly, I learned the business from those guys. Guys like Lou (Williams), who got traded multiple times in one season, and a guy like Pat, who I’ve played majority of my career with. They understand and taught me that it’s a business if you’re not one of the top tier players, and we know who those guys are.” Everybody is expendable at any level, Harrell understands. Beverley took to Twitter his anger and happiness to Harrell but also congratulated him as well. Harrell notes that the guys are fine, and his decision didn’t affect those guys living conditions. “I have a family to provide for, so my decision was my decision. I talked with people in my tight circle, and we felt this was best for me.”
When the trade happened, Rob Pelinka and Frank Vogel called Harrell together and express how excited they were to have him on the team. They felt honored to bring him along with an organization that’s established. “It feels good, especially from a couple who just made a run in the bubble and won a championship. You come out here, and you look to build a legacy. At the end of the day, that’s what I’m trying to do.”
