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2020 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far

By Duncan Smith

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 05: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers guareds Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons at Staples Center on January 5, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Lakers won 106-99. 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 John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 05: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers guareds Christian Wood #35 of the Detroit Pistons at Staples Center on January 5, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Lakers won 106-99. 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 John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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NBA free agency
NBA free agency Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Montrezl Harrell: 2 years, $19 million (Los Angeles Lakers)

The Los Angeles Lakers are absolutely devastating their biggest rivals in free agency so far. They poached Wesley Matthews from the Milwaukee Bucks on a value deal, and now they’ve done the exact same thing to the LA Clippers by signing Montrezl Harrell to a two-year, $19 million deal.

Harrell was likely poised for a big payday until he had a downer of an NBA bubble performance, and then head coach Doc Rivers’ intransigence in refusing to play Ivica Zubac over him in bad matchups ultimately led to Rivers getting fired.

Of course, with the Lakers, Harrell won’t need to be as defensively-minded alongside Anthony Davis and the pesky and tough backcourt they possess, and he will be a deadly pick and roll partner for any one of LeBron James, Davis or newly acquired point guard Dennis Schroder.

Last season with the Clippers he averaged 18.6 points and 7.1 rebounds in 27.8 minutes per game, and he shot 58.0 percent from the floor.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been remarkably active in the early days of the NBA offseason and they’re clearly looking to aggressively defend their championship which they won just a few weeks ago.

Grade: A