Montrezl Harrell Reportedly Traded to Clippers in Chris Paul Deal with Rockets

The Los Angeles Clippers will reportedly receive Montrezl Harrell as a part of the trade that will send Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets, according to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, the Rockets are also sending Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams Sam Dekker and a 2018 first-round pick to the Clippers to acquire Paul, who opted into his $24.2 million player option for the 2017-18 season to facilitate the deal. 

According to Wojnarowski, league sources said "Paul and Harden discussed the possibility of a partnership at length, believing they can find a way to thrive together."

It's unlikely the Rockets are done dealing, as Wojnarowski noted: 

And Brian Windhorst of ESPN said on SportsCenter Wednesday that the Rockets also have Paul George in their sights (h/t Jack Maloney of CBS Sports):

"When the dust all settles, will anybody be standing there to try to compete with the Warriors? The Rockets are trying to make an audacious move to do that. I'm sure at this very second they are pitching George. They are pitching the Indiana Pacers. 'Come to Houston, sign a contract extension, get the deal done. Chris Paul, James Harden and Paul George, come together and let's try to beat the Golden State Warriors.' That's what's happening right now. Whether or not they can pull it off, we'll see.

His vision is to bring Paul George and Chris Paul in. Will he be able to do it? His central piece to trade is Indianapolis native Eric Gordon. Is that gonna be enough with other pieces? I don't know, but Daryl Morey swings for the fences."

Certainly, the combination of Paul and Harden, alone, makes the Rockets a threat to the Warriors next season. Adding George would really put them squarely in the running to win a title, even if there would likely be an adjustment period for the three superstars as they learned to play with one another. But it would appear the Rockets are going for broke to compete in the short term.

The Clippers would also appear to be making changes, albeit with longer-term goals in mind. Paolo Uggetti of The Ringer broke down the trade from the Clippers perspective:

"This move has Jerry West’s fingerprints all over it. With the Warriors, West saw success by helping GM Bob Myers build through the drafts with smart scouting and good decision-making—something the Clippers have been allergic to.

There is no question in my mind that had West not joined the Clippers, Doc Rivers would try to re-sign Blake Griffin and CP3 and run it back for at least one more year, because, well, what’s the alternative? This is the alternative, and West just got a great haul for an aging superstar..."

As for Harrell, the big man became expendable in Houston given the emergence of Clint Capela as a solid starting 5. He averaged 9.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per game this past season and should provide the Clippers with a nice option off the bench.