Report: Lakers' Harrell opts in, potentially setting up Westbrook trade

Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell will exercise his $9.7-million player option for the 2021-22 season, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The decision was initially expected to pave the way for the Lakers to trade Harrell and forward Kyle Kuzma for Sacramento Kings shooting guard Buddy Hield, according to Wojnarowski.

However, L.A. is now reportedly nearing a deal with the Washington Wizards that would send Kuzma, Harrell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and a first-round pick in Thursday's draft to D.C. in exchange for star guard Russell Westbrook.

Due to Kuzma's "poison pill" contract, the exchange for Hield, if still on the table, can't be completed until Aug. 6, ESPN's Bobby Marks notes. A contract is deemed to have a "poison pill" status when a player is coming off his rookie deal with an extension in place, but the extension has yet to take effect.

Harrell averaged 13.5 points and 6.2 rebounds off the bench for the Lakers this past season.