Report: Montrezl Harrell, 76ers Agree to 2-year, $5.2M Contract After Hornets Stint

Montrezl Harrell helped lead the Charlotte Hornets to the play-in tournament last season, but he is going somewhere else for 2022-23.

The big man signed a two-year, $5.2 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn

ESPN Sources: Free agent C Montrezl Harrell is signing two-year deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, including a player option. Harrell brings more toughness to a team searching for it this offseason. He was Sixth Man of the Year with Doc Rivers/Sam Cassell in 2019-2020 w/ Clippers.

There was a hint that he was on the move.

Montrezl Harrell @MONSTATREZZ

Blessed to have played for my home state only was 20-25 games but being back in the NC state was a blessing! Thanks pic.twitter.com/r8pJ6XFwwl

There used to be a time when adding a player of Harrell's caliber was a big deal.

He was at his best as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers for three seasons. He won the Sixth Man of the Year during his final season with the team, as he averaged 18.6 points, 7.1 rebound and 1.1 blocks per game.

After joining the Los Angeles Lakers, it seemed like the move was a big one. He put up 13.5 points and 6.2 rebound a night in 2020-21 but fell out of the primary rotation. In a first-round loss to the Phoenix Suns, the Louisville product played less than 10 minutes per game.

He was sent to the Wizards by the Lakers as part of the blockbuster deal that brought Russell Westbrook to the Lakers. He was traded to the Hornets.

Even though he wasn't a double-double threat, he still put up decent numbers in Charlotte. He played in 25 games and averaged 11 points and 5.1 rebound per game.

In the play-in tournament loss to the Atlanta Hawks, he posted nine points and three boards in 16 minutes as part of a crowded frontcourt.

He was arrested on a drug charge. The charge was recently reduced to a low level.

Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn

Harrell had charges of marijuana trafficking reduced to a misdemeanor possession in a Madison County (KY) Courthouse recently. Charge will be expunged from his record after 12 months if Harrell gets in no further legal trouble.

He is just 28 years old and should be solid veteran depth for a team that wants to make a playoffs.

Philadelphia signed him because of that background.