Door ajar for Montrezl Harrell to stay

Even though they began their NBL25 campaign on a loss, Derek Rucker believes that if Adelaide can somehow keep Montrezl Harrell all season, they’ll be right in the mix for the Championship.

“I’m not exaggerating, but they could start to creep into a top four talent team,” Rucker said on NBL Now.

“You can see how dominant he is going to be if he’s in this league for the full season.”

Harrell stood tall in his first game for the 36ers, putting up 13 points and 13 rebounds in 20 minutes of action.

“I give big credit to that front office for getting Harrell done quickly,” Rucker added.

“Over the past couple of seasons, they’ve lingered and just belaboured over decision making and they wind up empty handed and on struggle street.

“So they do deserve credit for getting that done.”

Harrell is currently an injury replacement for injured big man, Jarell Martin, which technically means he is on a short term deal until Martin is healthy.

“If you could keep by some means, Martin and Harrell. Then you have Kendric Davis, who I thought started to show glimpses of his potential in the second half. Then you have DJ (Vasiljevic), (Isaac) Humphries, (Jason) Cadee, Nick Marshall who looked really good. Lat Mayen who was outstanding and Sunday Dech who played a really good role the other day,” Rucker said.

Is there a world where Harrell can finish out the season alongside Martin? Jo Healy answered that question on NBL Overtime.

“I made some calls to Adelaide and they said yes there is, with an asterisk,” Healy said.

“Assuming that Martin is healthy and back on the full roster, they would then have to move one of their marquees, like Isaac Humphries, off that contract. They would then have to free up a roster spot.

“There are a fair few moving parts there, but if you’re Grant Kelly, you’re absolutely leaving that door open.”