Wizards’ Montrezl Harrell takes shot at Lakers for usage last season

Montrezl Harrell spent last season with the Los Angeles Lakers after signing a two-year deal, but his situation ended on a sour note.

Harrell was coming off a strong season with the L.A. Clippers with whom he took home the Sixth Man of the Year award. But he couldn’t replicate those numbers in the purple and gold.

Injuries and rotation setbacks because of the league’s health and safety protocol played a role in how Harrell was used, but his value diminished in the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

The Lakers didn’t trust Harrell’s defense to play against the Phoenix Suns in the first round, which led to a reduction in Harrell’s role compared to his regular-season usage.

Harrell had a player option in his contract, but he opted in so he could be included in a trade to a new team; he ended up in the package for Russell Westbrook.

During a recent media session with the Wizards, Harrell expressed his dissatisfaction with how last season in L.A. went, via Chase Hughes of NBCS Washington:

The Wizards also have Daniel Gafford and Thomas Bryant at center, but Bryant is expected to be out until at least December.

Harrell was Washington’s sixth man in its preseason loss to the Houston Rockets, but only time will tell how Harrell’s stint with his new team pans out.

The Lakers replaced Harrell by signing Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan on minimum deals.