76ers Rumors: Montrezl Harrell Waived amid Knee Injury; Center Eyes Return After ASG
The Philadelphia 76ers went into training camp ahead of the 2023-24 season with somewhat of a logjam at center behind defending MVP Joel Embiid, as Paul Reed, Mo Bamba and Montrezl Harrell were all vying for minutes.
Harrell tore his ACL and meniscus in early August, however, and Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported on Monday that the veteran center was being waived by the team.
He added that Harrell's "injury and absence make him the release due to a roster crunch, but he's aiming to make a return after the All-Star break." He also noted that the Sixers reportedly "will continue supporting Harrell in his rehab and recovery plan."
Harrell, 29, wasn't a major part of Philly's rotation last season after signing a two-year, $5.2 million deal with the team, appearing in just 57 games (seven starts) and averaging 5.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 11.9 minutes per contest.
Harrell declined his $1.9 million player option in June, though in July the Sixers signed him to a one-year, $2.8 million deal.
The reunion was something of a surprise, given that the more athletic Reed emerged as the preferred backup center last season, appearing in 11 playoff games to just two for Harrell. The Sixers matched the three-year, $23.5 million offer sheet Reed signed with the Utah Jazz this offseason, retaining him, and also signed Bamba to a one-year, $2.3 million deal.
Additionally, 2021 second-round pick Filip Petrušev joined the team this offseason, giving the Sixers a full cupboard of big men.
The Sixers now have 15 players on standard deals and three players on two-way contracts, the maximum allotment.
The main roster heading into the 2023-24 season—at least until the inevitable James Harden trade—appears to be as follows:
- PG: Harden (currently away from team), Tyrese Maxey, Patrick Beverley
- SG: De'Anthony Melton, Jaden Springer
- SF: Kelly Oubre Jr., Danny Green, Danuel House Jr., Furkan Korkmaz
- PF: Tobias Harris, PJ Tucker
- C: Embiid, Reed, Bamba, Petrušev
The Sixers remain one of the NBA's mysterious teams heading into the new season, given the Harden uncertainty. But at least one roster question has been answered with Harrell's release.
