Montrezl Harrell has felony marijuana charge reduced to misdemeanor, which could finally get him signed
Former Charlotte Hornets center Montrezl Harrell had his felony marijuana charge reduced to a misdemeanor Wednesday, per Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes.
Harrell previously faced a felony charge after Kentucky officers reportedly found three pounds of marijuana in his car during a traffic stop in June. Harrell was charged with trafficking less than five pounds of marijuana. That's a felony in Kentucky and is punishable with up to five years in prison.
That charge is now a misdemeanor, which should carry a lesser punishment. If Harrell remains in good legal standing for the next 12 months, the marijuana misdemeanor will be removed from his record, per Haynes.
Yahoo Sources: A felony charge against free agent center Montrezl Harrell on trafficking marijuana has been reduced to possession of marijuana and a misdemeanor, a judge ruled this morning. If he’s in good legal standing for next 12 months, misdemeanor to be removed from record.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) August 31, 2022
Harrell, 28, is coming off a season in which he averaged 13.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
Montrezl Harrell could sign with team after felony charge gets reduced
Harrell was considered a strong add this summer, but the arrest and felony charge put his free agency on hold. Teams did not want to pick up Harrell if there was uncertainty about his availability during the 2022-23 NBA season.
That will be less of an issue with the reduced charge. Harrell has changed teams often recently, seeing time with four different franchises since the start of the 2019-20 NBA season. He won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award that season, and has proven himself as a useful big man off the bench.
With most players now off the market, Harrell should be one of the most desirable names available. Any team looking for help inside could pursue Harrell now that his legal situation has more clarity.
