Ex-Los Angeles Clippers Forward Set To Reunite With Rivers In Philadelphia

The Philadelphia 76ers know they need to take in a backup center and forward to beef up their frontline. Based on the latest reports, the Sixers may have caught a huge fish in the person of Montrezl Harrell.

According to an update from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the 2020 NBA Sixth Man of the Year awardee has agreed to a two-year deal worth $5.2 million to join Philly.

The deal reportedly included a player option for the second year. This means Rivers will have more backup options at the center position to ease some burden off starting All-Star center Joel Embiid.

Harrell split last season with the Washington Wizards and the Charlotte Hornets. After averaging 14.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists with the Wizards, his numbers dipped a bit when he moved to the Hornets.

In Charlotte, Harrell played 25 games, averaging 11.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes of action, per Basketball-Reference.

The 6-foot-7 NBA player still faces a cloud of uncertainty amid legal issues.

This was in connection to felony legal charges in Kentucky after Harrell was pulled over and found to be with three pounds of marijuana in his car. Those charges have since been reduced to misdemeanor charges, according to another report by Wojnarowski.

The charges will reportedly be expunged after 12 months if Harrell does not get into any other legal trouble.

The move also reunites Harrell with head coach Doc Rivers. Both formerly worked together with the Los Angeles Clippers from 2017 to 2020.

James Harden reportedly played a role in bringing in Harrell. Both played for the Houston Rockets from 2015 to 2017.

Harrell becomes the latest addition to the Sixers after P.J. Tucker. The signings were a result of Harden's decision to secure a smaller annual contract for Philly to bring in more help heading into the 2022-23 NBA season.

The Sixers should get a lot from Harrell, someone known to defend, rebound and bring energy when his number is called. Since leaving the Clippers, Harrell has struggled to find his groove after stints with the Los Angeles Lakers, Wizards and the Hornets.