Chicago Bulls: 4 prize free agent targets to watch early in the playoffs

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Montrezl Harrell Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Grand prize Chicago Bulls FA targets to watch in the playoffs: Montrezl Harrell

Another player that is on a playoff team that will have a lot of eyes on it that has a looming player option this offseason is the Lakers big man and reigning Sixth Man of the Year award winner Montrezl Harrell. The former Louisville Cardinal Harrell is having another stout season, this time with a different team in Los Angeles.

Last season, Harrell played well enough with the Los Angeles Clippers to be the Sixth Man of the Year. Now he’s with the other team in LA and is set to take on CP3 and the two-seed Suns in the first round of the playoffs out West.

It’s hard to tell what direction Harrell is leaning at the moment in terms of what he’ll do with his looming player option. He already was a bargain for the Lakers to sign out of free agency last offseason, and his current deal is only partially guaranteed for next season.

Moreover, the grit and strong presence down low that Harrell brings to the table is something that the Bulls could really use. If he were to hit free agency, it would be wise for Karnisovas and the Bulls to show some interest in him.

How the Lakers were able to sign someone with the pedigree of Harrell to a two-year contract worth less than $20 million in total is something they could only figure out in LA. If Harrell were to hit the free agent market this offseason, he could clearly command a lot higher price tag than that. But he might want to stick around alongside the superstar duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis to win a ring.