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Los Angeles Clippers: The perfect home for under-the-radar players

By Aymin Bakr

PLAYA VISTA, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Lou Williams #23 and Tobias Harris #34 of the Los Angeles Clippers answer questions on media day at the Los Angeles Clippers Training Center on September 24, 2018 in Playa Vista, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
PLAYA VISTA, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Lou Williams #23 and Tobias Harris #34 of the Los Angeles Clippers answer questions on media day at the Los Angeles Clippers Training Center on September 24, 2018 in Playa Vista, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Montrezl Harrell

Taken with the 32nd pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets didn’t expect anything too special out of Montrezl Harrell. As such, he never played over an average of 18 minutes per contest during his short two-season tenure in Houston.

When he was included in the trade package that sent him to L.A. in addition to a multitude of other players for Chris Paul, the Clippers didn’t expect much more than a hustle guy with good defensive instincts and rebounding ability down-low.

What they got, however, was so much more than expected. In just 17 minutes per contest last season, Harrell established himself as one of the best defenders on the team while simultaneously playing at an extremely efficient rate offensively, as he averaged 11.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game on 64.5 percent shooting from the field.

With DeAndre Jordan out of the way and Marcin Gortat underperforming in his new role, Harrell is finally being given proper time to put his full skill-set on display and it’s really paying off.

While he may not be able to start at center due to his 6’8″ frame, the 24-year-old is averaging an eye-catching 14.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.9 blocks and 0.9 steals in just 23.6 minutes per contest while shooting 67.9 percent from the field.

Furthermore, he’s been given over 30 minutes in three games so far. Over those three, he’s averaged an even more impressive 20.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.6 steals per game on 78.1 percent shooting from the field. The sample size may be small, but the point still remains.

The clip above is representative of the sheer effort and impact that Harrell provides on both sides of the floor each night.

The young forward could average near All-Star numbers if he were a consistent starter and does virtually everything a center needs to do except hit the 3-ball consistently in this modern NBA. While some may have expected a certain degree of success, I’m not sure anyone would’ve seen this type of production coming.

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