10. Montrezl Harrell – Washington Wizards
When the Washington Wizards traded away Russell Westbrook for a load of pieces and draft picks last summer, it wouldn’t be considered crazy to think that the Wizards were aiming to tank again.
The Wizards won 15 out of their final 20 games last season, so logic pointed to them having a good 2021/22 with that roster if it stayed intact. However, they blew it up but have still managed to be extremely competitive.
The Wizards have started out 10-3 and are the top team in the East. Even though Bradley Beal unsurprisingly leads the Wizards in scoring (23.3 PPG), he hasn’t been very efficient thus far. He’s currently only shooting 40.7% from the field and 25.0% from 3, which is well below his career averages (45.5 FG%, 37.3 3P%).
Instead, it’s been Montrezl Harrell who has really impressed so far. The power forward now in his 7th season is averaging a career-high PPG (18.1) and RPG (9.3) whilst shooting an amazing 64.0% from the field. This production also has him 3rd in the league in offensive rating (138).
Maybe Harrell is coming into his prime as a player, maybe it’s the anger at being mistreated by the Lakers last season. Whatever it is, the Wizards have got themselves a highly-motivated piece going forward who is surely the current frontrunner for 6th Man of the Year.