Coming into the NBA season, there were mixed feelings about how the Washington Wizards would fare. They traded away Russell Westbrook to the Los Angeles Lakers, leaving Bradley Beal as the sole star of the show. Beal’s future was up in the air as well, as he is not locked into a long-term deal with the team.
Based on how things have gone thus far, Bradley Beal could be in it for the long haul. Thus far in the 2021-22 season, the Wizards have been one of the better teams in the NBA.
Washington is 7-3, tied with the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat atop the Eastern Conference. The team has performed well, ranking 13th in offensive rating and eighth in defensive rating. They do not have a player over the age of 29 on the team but have plenty of experience that is helping them get out to this hot start.
Corey Kispert is the only player, out of 11, averaging double-digit minutes that isn’t scoring at least 5.6 points per game. It has been a total team effort, but one standout has been Montrezl Harrell.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Wizards’ Rui Hachimura Nears Return To Game Action
Harrell was part of the return package, along with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma, from the Lakers in exchange for Westbrook. All three have played well in Washington, but it is Harrell making the biggest impact.
The former Sixth Man of the Year award winner struggled during his one season with the Lakers, as he never really found his footing. With Washington, he has gotten back to his dominant ways off the bench.
Harrell is averaging 17.7 points per game to go along with 9.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 30 minutes per game. He should once again be in contention for the award with his high-energy play with the second unit.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Wizards’ Rui Hachimura Nears Return To Game Action
He recently shared what the difference was between his performance last season with the Lakers and thus far this season with the Wizards.
“Montrezl Harrell is on the floor, brother. That’s the biggest difference. … I didn’t really get to be utilized how I wanted to be last year. I damn near felt like I had a season off.”
Feeling refreshed and ready to go, Montrezl Harrell is producing excellently for the Washington Wizards. He is putting himself in a position to cash in on free agency this upcoming offseason if he can add a second Sixth Man of the Year award to his resume.
