Los Angeles Lakers: 5 players who likely just played their last game in LA

By Jason Reed | Jun 4, 2021

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 03: Markieff Morris #88, Wesley Matthews #9 and Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers react in a 113-100 Phoenix Suns win during game six of the Western Conference first round series at Staples Center on June 03, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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. /

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(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Montrezl Harrell

Montrezl Harrell seemingly already has one foot out the door. While he got playing time in the Game 6 loss, Harrell was not being used at the start of the series and he seemed to take exception to it. Harrell has a player option on his contract and it would be shocking to not see him opt-out.

While Harrell may not have done much to really raise his value from where it was last offseason, he can get a deal with a team that might utilize him more, leading to a bigger payday. It is going to be the classic case of Harrell signing another short-term deal with a bad team that he can play 30 minutes on and fill up the box score.

Harrell was exciting during the regular season and he definitely developed a fanbase of Laker fans who admired how much he hustled and how hard he played every night. The problem with Harrell is that he does not fit the modern game very well.

Harrell cannot stretch the floor and he does not make up for it with good defense. Even with him being a bruiser down low, Harrell’s size does limit him around the rim.

I would not mind whatsoever if Harrell decided to come back to the Los Angeles Lakers and not exercise his player option. Would I give Harrell a pay increase or give him four guaranteed years on the books? Definitely not.

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