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Los Angeles Lakers: Why Montrezl Harrell should opt-in this summer

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 12: Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers prepares to shoot a free throw against the Memphis Grizzlies 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: Montrezl Harrell #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers prepares to shoot a free throw against the Memphis Grizzlies 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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

1. Montrezl Harrell didn’t increase his contract value this season

Montrezl Harrell had some promising moments with the Los Angeles Lakers this season but he did not do enough to increase his contract value in the open market. Harrell was arguably the most valuable he has been in his career last offseason, even with the Jokic series.

It would be one thing if Harrell had an incredible season and upped his value and was projected to get $10 million+ per season. He had a season that was more of the same and he did not take his game up to that next level. If he were to hit the open market, he would probably just get another MLE deal anyway.

Now, you could make the case for Harrell to turn one year into multiple years by agreeing to a new contract but he has already shown us that he thinks his value is higher. The fact that he signed a two-year deal with a player option in year two shows us that he was projecting to increase his value with the Lakers and sign a new deal.

MORE: 5 cheap sharpshooters to add in free agency

He did not do that so instead of locking into a multi-year deal that he may think is under his value he could opt-in, give it another go with the Lakers and hope that a deep playoff run increases his value.

The NBA salary cap is still recovering from the covid-19 pandemic and it should be back on track for the 2022-23 season. Very few teams have enough salary-cap space to offer contracts that are above the MLE. It is a bad time for Harrell to hit the market and he could bet on himself for another year.

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