Soaring Down South
Fansided

Should the Atlanta Hawks pursue Montrezl Harrell in 2020 free agency

By Cannon Wonderlich

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 22: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts during the second quarter of a game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 22, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 22: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the Los Angeles Clippers reacts during the second quarter of a game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on January 22, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images /

What Montrezl Harrell brings to the team

Montrezl Harrell has been the embodiment of what LA Clippers basketball has been in the post-Lob City era. Much of that is due to his energy and spirit. He can get a crowd on their feet with his electrifying put-back dunks followed by a terrifying roar.

While his energy and mentality are an intangible trait that has immeasurable value, Harrell’s on-court productions is nothing to bat an eye at, and he is consistently getting better each season.

When Harrell entered the league as a rookie from Louisville on the Houston Rockets, he averaged a meager 3.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 9.7 minutes per game. Those rookie numbers have blossomed since then. Now, for the Clippers, Harrell is contributing 19.4 points and 7.2 rebounds in 28.8 minutes of action a night.

Harrell, despite his 6’7 frame, plays like Shaquille O’Neal. On offense, he’s in the paint for most possessions, where he either puts a post move on his defender or muscles his way to a bucket.

For the Hawks specifically, he could either be the team’s sixth man or slide into some select starting lineups.

Harrell isn’t a gifted shooter, so he won’t fit well as anything other than a power forward or a center. John Collins already has the starting power forward position on lock, but in certain situations when he plays the five, Harrell might be able to slide in next to him at the four.

However, the best fit would be to put Harrell on the bench like the Clippers have. Maybe he could have a dominant pick-and-roll with Jeff Teague in the second unit similar to that with Lou Williams in LA.

Home/Hawks News