NBA Rumors: Lakers Could Be Making Big Mistake By Trading Harrell

The Los Angeles Lakers need manpower right now, but a plausible move is to trade away some players and take in multiple ones.

One player that has been frequently mentioned in the NBA trade rumor mill is Montrezl Harrell. The former NBA Sixth Man of the Year awardee remains a prized recruit for the franchise, but the grapevine tells otherwise as Los Angeles seems to entertain the idea of shipping him to the Charlotte Hornets.

Harrell seems aware of the trade rumors tied to him, leading to him post a cryptic tweet on social media. He appears surprised that his name has been brought up in such discussions, a move that the Lakers could live to regret.

One can only look at the performance of the 27-year-old NBA player. In 43 games, he has averaged 14.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 24.8 minutes of action.

But considering he is on a team that boasts of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the 6-foot-7 forward was not expected to deliver heavy numbers. However, all this was before both superstars went down with injuries.

Assuming that the Lakers and the Hornets push through with this trade, Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo have been singled out as potential players that the Los Angeles can get.

Both are role players that could help Los Angeles in rebounding and blocking. Harrell can do both, but the key thing here is having more bodies available for head coach Frank Vogel.

The NBA trade deadline is days away, so it will be interesting if the Lakers will move forward with this alleged Harrell trade.

Hardly getting any financial flexibility, most believe that the Lakers will turn to NBA free agency or buyout candidates.

Dealing away Harrell makes sense for added bodies. But the club may be giving up a prized acquisition who can also score and energize the team–something Los Angeles needs right now.

A decision on this will likely depend on when James and Davis can return to action.