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Los Angeles Lakers: The 4 biggest bargains on the Lakers roster

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers reacts during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on February 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The Kings won 112-103. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 22: Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers reacts during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center on February 22, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The Kings won 112-103. 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 Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Montrezl Harrell — $9.2 million

The highest salary on this list is the second-best bargain for the Los Angeles Lakers — because Montrezl Harrell is the best player on this list. Many expected Harrell to get a decent-sized contract this offseason and instead the Lakers signed him to a mid-level exception two-year contract.

I know, I know, he got torched by Nikola Jokic in the NBA Playoffs and was not great defensively against Boban Marjanovic and the Dallas Mavericks. But look at who we are talking about — a generational passing center that torches almost everyone and a center that is nine inches taller than Harrell.

I am six-foot even. That is the same size differential between me and LeBron James!

Harrell is not a great defender but he was misused as a traditional five off the bench and he should be a much better defensive player when he has shot-blockers like Anthony Davis and Marc Gasol next to him.

Mix a potentially better defensive effort from a player that already is not that bad defensively (he posted a -0.41 D-PIPM last season) with his offensive potential and it is really easy to get excited about Harrell on the Lakers.

I hate to keep making the same point but the Lakers are paying Harrell $6.8 million LESS than the Clippers are paying Marcus Morris this season. The Lakers are playing the reigning Sixth Man of the Year $6.8 million less than the Clippers are paying a stretch forward who has bounced around the league.

However, he still is not the biggest bargain on the roster.

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