In one of the more speculative rumors of the offseason, the Miami Heat are mulling handing out a big one-year deal to free agent Montrezl Harrell.
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Harrell finished the 2019-20 NBA season on a low with a knockout from the playoffs. He was clearly off his game on both ends of the floor, but especially on defense.
He missed most of the restart games in the bubble to be with his family after losing his grandmother. Nevertheless, the 6’7″ center was the winner of the NBA Sixth Man of the Year trophy. His stock is still sky-high.
Miami Heat considering a big one-year deal offer to Montrezl Harrell
The Heat are in cap heaven at the moment. They have only $80 million committed in salaries. This leaves them $29 million in room before hitting the projected $109 million cap for the 2020-21 NBA season.
They will only have to work out contracts for Dragic, Derrick Jones Jr and possibly Udonis Haslem other than Harrell.
One Eastern Conference executive suggested the Miami Heat as a possible destination for Montrezl Harrell
“They will leave space for Giannis, but they could give [Harrell] a big one-year deal. They always figure it out.”
(Via Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report) pic.twitter.com/oN2cJj8oRi
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) September 29, 2020
They will have Meyers Leonard walking, but Kelly Olynyk will still likely pick up the player option for his $13,000,000 contract.
This will leave room for Harrell to receive playing time as a strictly pick-and-roll big man. Harrell’s energy levels might give him some extra minutes in comparison to Olynyk. There’s also an intriguing possibility of fielding Harrell and Adebayo at the same time.
The Heat have already got a great supporting cast for their All Star duo of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. If Harrell can put his head down, his ego out of the way and accept a lesser role, there is no reason why he can’t be part of a Finals run.
Players in the Heat organization are always known for putting their team first.
