Report: Lakers May Have Already Made Montrezl Harrell Free Agency Decision For Him

The Los Angeles Lakers will have to make a move and Montrezl Harrell has to make a decision on his pending free agency. Oh wait, it looks like they made one.

LA holds several roster decisions ahead to build a title contender. Harrell’s situation is one of the most important aspects that will affect Rob Pelinka’s offseason plans. The deadline is already here and LA made things easier for Harrell.

The Lakers front office will have to reconstruct the roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. There have been numerous rumors about Pelinka’s next move.

Harrell holds about $9.7 million player option for the upcoming season. He has to make a decision by the end of this month. Will he stay in LA? Will he check out the market for better options?

Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype believes that LA may use Harrell as a trade asset if he decides to stay.

“Montrezl Harrell’s decision on his $9.7 million player option is considered a genuine “50-50” either way at this stage, multiple league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote.

“Harrell could exercise his player option and be traded. The Lakers and Kings have discussed a deal centered on Kyle Kuzma and Buddy Hield, as The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported. Multiple league sources told HoopsHype that Harrell and the Lakers’ 22nd overall pick were also discussed in variations of the trade talks centered around Kuzma and Hield.”

Theory on LA Lakers and their Montrezl Harrell decision

The Lakers will try really hard to build a strong group around LeBron and AD. They need a strong core to make the playoffs next season. The franchise left the playoffs in the first round this year and Pelinka won’t let it happen again.

If Harrell were to pick up the final year of his deal, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see the Lakers front office try to trade him.

There’s a strong possibility for this to happen. Harrell may decline the option. He may not have a control over his future in the league. Let’s see how will things unfold for the Lakers veteran.