Montrezl Harrell opts out of contract with Sixers to become a free agent

Montrezl Harrell is declining his player option for the 2023-24 season with the 76ers and will become an unrestricted free agent, a league source confirmed.

Harrell had until Wednesday to inform the Sixers of his decision to opt out of the $2.7 million player option. The reserve center signed a two-year deal with the organization last summer amid huge expectations. However, he was out of the rotation by season’s end.

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The 6-foot-7, 240-pounder averaged 5.6 points and 2.8 rebounds this past season. They were his lowest averages since producing 3.6 points and 1.7 rebounds as a rookie with the Houston Rockets during the 2015-16 season.

Harrell was third on the depth chart behind Joel Embiid and Paul Reed in training camp. He and Reed split time as Embiid’s backup at the start of the season, with one holding the position until the other struggled and was replaced.

Harrell appeared to have settled into that role by late December. One of his highlights came in the Jan. 4 overtime victory versus the Indiana Pacers. He played a season-high 27 minutes, 59 seconds as the Sixers went to a small-ball starting lineup with P.J. Tucker at center due to Embiid being sidelined.

Harrell made his first eight attempts en route to shooting 8-for-9 from the field. His lone miss came on a layup tip with 55.6 seconds remaining in overtime.

Harrell became the first Sixers reserve to post at least 15 points and four blocks in a game since Spencer Hawes in 2012. Harrell was the fourth Sixer to reach those numbers since 1995.

The 28-year-old’s play was needed while Embiid was sidelined for an extended time. He showed why the Sixers signed him to be an emotional spark off the bench. His energy, endless activity, and level of ferociousness while attacking the basket were unmatched. However, he only appeared in seven of the Sixers’ final 25 games because he was struggling on the defensive end.

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But Harrell had the satisfaction of being on an NBA roster, which was far from a guarantee last offseason.

On Aug. 31, Harrell had a felony marijuana charge reduced to a misdemeanor. Prior to that, he was facing a felony charge after Kentucky officers found three pounds of cannabis in his car during a traffic stop in June. Harrell pleaded guilty. With that behind him, the 2020 Sixth Man of the Year signed with the Sixers in September.