Hoops Habit
Fansided

Montrezl Harrell, Placed Perfectly For Wizards

By Josh Wilson

Mar 29, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Montrezl Harrell (24) handles the ball against Michigan State Spartans forward Matt Costello (10) during the second half in the finals of the east regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Montrezl Harrell (24) handles the ball against Michigan State Spartans forward Matt Costello (10) during the second half in the finals of the east regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The NBA Draft is coming up, and the Washington Wizards have some clear holes they need to fill. Speculation is rising on who they will pick, and Montrezl Harrell of Louisville has been a name constantly brought up by those fueling the speculation.

For those of you unfamiliar with Montrezl, let me give you some quick information.

ALSO ON HOOPSHABIT: Our Latest NBA Mock Draft

He spent three years at Louisville, and was a member of the championship winning team in 2013. Although he wasn’t a huge role player that year, the next two years he went on to average double-digit points.

As Ben Mehic of Wiz Of Awes pointed out, Wizards head coach Randy Wittman doesn’t like to use rookies particularly much, so if they were going to draft someone, it would be someone with lots of college experience, and Harrell fits that criteria.

Most can’t find a whole lot of bad things to say about Harrell, especially given the work ethic he often puts out. He’s no quitter, and is often known for how hard he works both during games, and practices. It’s clear he plays with lots of emotion and effort.

In prospect interviews, Harrell was very adamant that he would not have off the court issues like some other players may end up having. He often says teams should have no worries about him showing up for work, because he would always be there.

Among other flattering compliments of his play, Harrell receives high praise for his defense, and is often compared to the likes of Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors.

These are all great, but these are very generic reasons to draft Harrell. Why does he fit Washington’s needs?

Live Feed

Where do the Washington Wizards rank in terms of future draft assets?
Where do the Washington Wizards rank in terms of future draft assets? /

Wiz of Awes

  • 4 Prospects Blazers should already be scouting for 2024 NBA DraftRip City Project
  • Washington Wizards' Johnny Davis is not ready for a rotational roleWiz of Awes
  • Bleacher Report cares way too much about the lack of 2nd round picks the Utah Jazz haveThe J-Notes
  • Trade Whispers to Franchise Fixture: Maxey's Uncertain Path to StabilityThe Sixer Sense
  • 3 NBA Draft picks Mavs rookie Olivier-Maxence Prosper should have been taken overThe Smoking Cuban

    • Well, the idea of needing a stretch 4 keeps getting brought up, especially in the context of Washington. Even in the context of the league in general, the stretch 4 is a very popular topic. Before the Cleveland Cavaliers lost Kevin Love, he was their stretch 4, and a very good one. He’s evidence of why teams need more versatile, less traditional big men.

    It’s not even so much stretch four being a need. Generally, versatility is the need for all teams. Having players that can complete multiple tasks well sets you up to win. Guards that can block are valuable. Big men that can shoot, even from deep, are also valuable.

    Being able to use these players in multiple areas is a luxury to have, and this is why the stretch four is valuable.

    Back to Love, Wizards’ coach Wittman actually has a history here. Back during the beginning stages of Love’s NBA career, Love expressed a desire to take longer shots with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Wittman reportedly told Love this wasn’t a good idea.

    Because of this, there’s the idea going around that Wittman is “old school,” and wants to use his big men as traditional big men. But based on what Wittman has recently said, he wants to stray away from this, and use a smaller lineup to attack the league next year.

    "“Playing small is successful for us… Playing faster. Those are the things I want to try to improve this team, moving forward, with. Being able to play smaller. Being able to play faster… We’ve got to be able to have the pieces to do that in the regular season.”"

    More from Washington Wizards

    This could be right where Harrell comes in. He’s versatile. For his size, he can be very active and full of motion. He could be that stretch 4. And while some point to other players that may be a steal to get at No. 19 in the draft like Bobby Portis, Harrell is a realistic option to be available that late in the draft.

    Don’t get too excited about him being versatile enough to hit three-pointers, though. In his first two seasons he only attempted three three-pointers, and in his last year shot just 24 percent from the three-point line.

    Again, his aggression, and the passion and heart he plays with is enticing. He’s a player we could picture playing in Washington, and doing so successfully, especially if Wittman truly does want to head towards the smaller lineup.

    Watching Harrell, a lot of his play reminds me a bit of Paul Pierce, which is good to see.

    He’s got baggage. Wanting him to come in and be a versatile player, his lack of three-point skill is alarming, but all rookies will have things that need to be improved. I believe with where he’s rated to go in the draft, and the pick the Wizards have, he’s a good option for their first pick.

    Next: Can Bradley Beal Get Much Better?

    More from Hoops Habit

    Home/Washington Wizards