Montrezl Harrell is now part of the Los Angeles Lakers after he spent the last three seasons with crosstown rivals Clippers. Harrell’s signing with the Lakers came as a total surprise for fans but recent reports suggest that this was something expectable from several months ago.
Harrell reportedly didn’t feel good with the way the team treated Kawhi Leonard and Paul George compared to the rest of the team, which create some resentment for the big man.
According to Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN, Harrell has some problems with the Clippers’ “hierarchical system” and that led to his exit from the franchise.
“Gone are some of those, including Harrell, who had a more difficult time transitioning to the hierarchical system. Since the playoff elimination, players and staffers who previously blanched at the inconveniences presented by a two-time Finals MVP requiring some extra space for his unique pregame regimen have been educated on a certain reality in the NBA: Exceptional stars are afforded exceptional privileges,” Arnovitz noted.
Montrezl was one of the best players within the Clippers rank, a key figure coming off the bench and one of the biggest voices in the locker room. Now the team is missing him, although they landed Serge Ibaka as his replacement. Harrell is now entering a new chapter in his career with the Lakers, where he will try to do what he couldn’t with the Clippers: winning a championship.
