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Charlotte Hornets acquire Montrezl Harrell from Wizards at trade deadline

By Jason Huber

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 25: Montrezl Harrell #6 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the LA Clippers at Capital One Arena on January 25, 2022 in Washington, DC. 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 G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 25: Montrezl Harrell #6 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against the LA Clippers at Capital One Arena on January 25, 2022 in Washington, DC. 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 G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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Jan 17, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Montrezl Harrell (Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports)
Jan 17, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Montrezl Harrell (Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports) /

The Hornets acquired Montrezl Harrell from the Washington Wizards for Ish Smith, Vernon Carey and a second-round pick.

The Charlotte Hornets added a new weapon at the NBA Trade Deadline on Thursday, acquiring former Sixth Man of the Year Montrezl Harrell in a deal with the Washington Wizards.

Charlotte gets the 6-foot-7 big man in return for point guard Ish Smith, center Vernon Carey and a second-round pick, according to multiple reports.

The deal isn’t a blockbuster for a defensive center like some were hoping for but Harrell brings more interior offense to a Hornets team that is in the middle of a six-game losing streak and still fighting for a play-in spot.

Harrell, 28, will likely play a mix of PF and center for Charlotte and while he isn’t a huge defensive improvement, his energy and attitude should be a big plus for the young locker room.

A Tarboro, N.C. native, Harrell has a strong interior presence that can provide offense and rebound well, which the Hornets need more of.

After signing a two-year, $18.9 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers last season, he fell out of the rotation and was traded to Washington in the Russell Westbrook trade this offseason.

This year, Harrell is averaging 14.1 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 64.5 percent from the field.

Just two years ago, Harrell won the Sixth Man of the Year with the Los Angeles Clippers after averaging a career-high 18.6 points per game.

Even if Harrell is just a rental for the rest of the season before he hits free agency, Charlotte general manager Mitch Kupchak didn’t have to give up much. Smith is a career journeyman and while he had some decent moments for Charlotte this season, he was expendable.

Carey is the team’s second-round pick from last season and he is still extremely raw and wasn’t able to help the team at this point in time.

Harrell will also have a reunion with Hornets guard Terry Rozier. The two played together at Louisville from 2013-15.

Charlotte didn’t make any other deals on Thursday and will have an open roster spot to use in the buyout market.

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