Toronto Raptors: “Pass or Pursue” on 5 big-name free agents

5. Montrezl Harrell

Let’s not sugarcoat it. The Los Angeles Clippers’ 2019-20 season was a disaster.

Picked to win a championship by many NBA prognosticators, the Clippers got bounced by Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets in the second round. From Lou Williams’ “adventures” outside the bubble to Paul George’s continued playoff struggles, the once-favoured Clippers fell apart at the seams.

Not immune from scrutiny was reigning Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell. His comments to Luka Dončić during LA’s first-round matchup with the Dallas Mavericks cast a negative light onto Harrell, although the Louisville product did apologize.

With the Clippers in a state of flux and Harrell entering free agency, the centre-power forward hybrid could very well be wanting a change of scenery.

Harrell may even be hinting at a move across the border. His AAU team seems to have taken some inspiration from the Raptors’ old logo.

https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1311770002920529922

Apart from his lack of three-point ability, Harrell’s game fits in perfectly with Toronto’s culture. He won the 2019-20 NBA Hustle Award, a trophy based on charges drawn (he tied Kyle Lowry for the league-lead), box-outs, contested shots and screens. If the Raptors’ development staff could improve his range, Harrell, who is only 26, could be a steal.

Verdict: Pursue

Which free agent should be on the Raptors’ priority list? How much should they be looking to spend? Let us know in the comments below.