This summer, the Miami Heat should be acting with the intentions to return to title contention. As president, Pat Riley, expressed during the Heat’s 2020-21 season exit interview, there’s a clear intent to add assets around stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
Miami will not only have the flexibility to sign a max-level free agent, but they’ll also have room to sign another rotational player for the mid-level exception. While this year’s free agency class doesn’t hold the largest collection of names, it’s important for the Heat to, at least, search for assets who can have an immediate contribution.
For Los Angeles Lakers center, Montrezl Harrell, he would be yet another quality acquisition for Miami’s needs on the interior and perhaps for their culture. Harrell holds a Player Option worth $9.7 million for next season and could opt-out to become an Unrestricted Free Agent.
He’s, most recently, previously known to have a significant role on Los Angeles teams with championship aspirations. Montrezl’s had stints with both franchises in Los Angeles, where most of his success came, after making his initial splash with Houston.
For someone who plays much larger what than his 6’7” and 240 pound frame suggests, Harrell is a relentless and above-the-rim finisher as an undersized center. He has the ability to take defenders off the dribble and can anchor a team’s defense as well.
Over the last few years though, Harrell has ranked as one the league’s leaders in second-chance opportunities and whether he starts or comes off the bench, he’s an energizer bunny who can quickly raise the intensity in meaningful games.