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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) /
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Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images /

Would Montrezl Harrell be a good fit on the Atlanta Hawks

While Montrezl Harrell has blossomed into one of the three best bench players in the NBA in his time with the LA Clippers, the Hawks really shouldn’t try to sign him.

He’s had an impressive glow up, but Harrell is incredibly one dimensional on offense and nearly non-existent on defense.

Harrell can’t shoot the ball from anywhere outside the paint. 97.5 percent of his shots are 0-3 feet from the basket. Not only is that the only place he scores from, but it’s the only place he can score from. At 3-10 feet from the basket, Harrell only shoots 43.2 percent, and it gets worse with distance. He shoots 28.1 percent from 10-16 feet, 10.0 percent from 16 feet-3-point range, and 0.0 percent on the season from behind the arc.

This wouldn’t be a problem if Harrell was really tall and a great defender. Unfortunately, he is neither of those things.

At only 6’7, Harrell is one of, if not the shortest centers in the NBA. This hinders him in one main way: His defense. Come playoff time, Harrell will be lost trying to guard fellow big-men like Rudy Gobert, Nikola Jokic, Kristaps Porzingis, Clint Capela, and especially Anthony Davis. The Clippers will get demolished down-low. Unless Harrell hits a lucky four-inch growth spurt at age 26, he will carry this same issue with him into next season.

Lastly, Harrell has pretty much the exact same skillset as John Collins. Signing Harrell would be a redundant and poor idea.

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Montrezl Harrell is a great basketball player. He has done fantastic things to help rejuvenate the LA Clippers. However, his lack of a jump shot and size make him a one-dimensional player, and the Atlanta Hawks should avoid signing him in free agency.

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