Game Thread | 2022-2023 Pre-Season | Game #1 | 76ers @ Cavs | October 5, 2022 | 6:00 p.m. Central Time

[Adam]

So why is playing on such a small contract? I guess it is because he is easy to scheme for in a series?

Yeah I think he's one of those guys that does well against other teams backups. In the playoffs he plays starters and his defensive limitations are exploited

 

[foucault87]

I think its been covered here already but Trez is a player who excels as a roll man. He isnt an exceptional passer, not a real post game, and optimistically a bad rim protector. He is really good at abusing bench units and really needs a PnR ball handler to play with (Lou Will, Harden). He will run train on bench units but in the playoffs where you can just keep forcing him to defend a wing or guard, its rough. Dude is a legit floor raiser that would push a 30 win team to 35 or so, but his game does not scale to the post-season.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

So why is playing on such a small contract? I guess it is because he is easy to scheme for in a series?

Good point. In years 4-6 he made $6.0 M, $5.6 M, and $9.2 M. Last year he made $6.2 million with Washington/Charlotte. This year he signed a two-year deal with Philly for $5.2 million. He's 28 so it's not diminishing skills. Maybe he took less to play for a Finals contender.

In the 2018-19 playoffs with the Clippers he averaged 26.3 minutes in 13 games, shooting 73% from the field and averaging 18.3 ppg and 5.5 rebounds. The next year he averaged 18.5 minutes in the playoffs and 10.5 points. I wouldn't say he's all that easy to neutralize in the playoffs.

In 20-21 with the Lakers he only averaged 10 minutes in 4 games, but he was backing up Anthony Davis.

But obviously Harrell is not an offensive threat except on the glass. He has limitations like every non-starter. I'm just saying I admire his intensity off the bench and I questioned the statement that his role is diminishing each year and he will soon be out of the league.

Against the Cavs he was setting screens to free up Maxey for 3-point shots, not to mention getting offensive boards. I think he'll help the Sixers this year since Embiid can't play 48 minutes a night and they have no other centers on the roster. Harrell is not a center but he weighs 240 and has a 7'4" wingspan. I'd like to see if Robin Lopez can back him down and make that hook shot on him when Embiid is on the bench.