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Los Angeles Lakers: Grading last offseason’s additions

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 12: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks to pass the ball defended by Marc Gasol #14 and Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on February 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 12: Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks to pass the ball defended by Marc Gasol #14 and Dennis Schroder #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on February 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Montrezl Harrell: B-

I am not going to give Montrezl Harrell a bad grade because he did not play much in the playoffs. He might not be happy with it, but the Lakers knew going in that there were certain matchups that Harrell was not going to be able to play in the playoffs.

His defense was simply too shoddy and did not show enough improvements in the regular season to warrant big playoff minutes. Mix that in with the team force-feeding Andre Drummond minutes when they really should have and it is easy to see how Harrell didn’t play.

Maybe the Lakers should have played him more once AD got hurt to light a fire under the team and get the scoring going, but that is in the past. Harrell did not play in the playoffs and now it seems likely that he will utilize his player option to sign elsewhere.

Harrell was solid in the regular season for the Lakers. He brought exactly what the team was expecting out of the MLE and did show some defensive improvements, even if they were not enough.

His offense near the basket was still solid and he was a joy to watch. The biggest gripe I had with Harrell is how the Lakers used him. Harrell could have been better utilized next to someone who can stretch the floor while also protect the rim, such as Davis or Gasol, and the Lakers simply didn’t utilize that dynamic enough.

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