Signed, Sealed, and Rejected: Montrezl Harrell’s CBA Dreams Crushed Amidst Controversy

Montrezl Harrell was supposed to be the next big thing in the CBA. Instead, he has officially signed with the Big3 league, a three-on-three competition in the U.S. that kicks off on June 15.

For weeks, speculation swirled around Harrell’s next move. At 31 years old, he’s still in his prime and could have dominated in China’s basketball scene. Yet, due to a shocking contract dispute, he has completely shut the door on his CBA future.

What happened? A reckless move. A double signing. And a blacklist that now bars him from playing in one of the most lucrative overseas leagues.

Harrell’s story should have been one of redemption. Instead, it’s now a cautionary tale.

Harrell’s Big CBA Mistake: A Deal Gone Wrong

Harrell had a golden opportunity to revive his career in China.

With his high-energy, undersized but powerful playing style, he was a perfect fit for the CBA. Look at Kenneth Lofton Jr., currently starring for the Shanghai Sharks:

• 23.1 PPG, 12.9 RPG, 6.5 APG, 1.5 SPG
• 53.4% FG
• CBA All-Star starter
• Major endorsement deals in China

Harrell, a former NBA Sixth Man of the Year, could have followed the same path.

And at first, he was on track to do just that. Reports confirmed that he had signed with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls, a top CBA franchise.

Then, disaster struck.

Another report surfaced—Harrell had also signed a deal with the Xinjiang Flying Tigers, another CBA team known for aggressive spending and title ambitions.

Two teams.
Two contracts.
One giant controversy.

The CBA was furious.

• Signing two contracts simultaneously? That’s a clear violation of professional ethics.
• Zhejiang, expecting Harrell to join them, was now in a contract dispute nightmare.
• Xinjiang, accused of poaching another team’s signing, found itself under scrutiny as well.

The league’s executives had no choice—Harrell was blacklisted.

Instead of starring in China, he was now completely locked out of the league.

A stunning fall from grace.

CBA Teams: “Enough Is Enough”

Harrell’s double-dealing didn’t just cost him one contract—it cost him his entire future in China.

For CBA teams, trust is everything.

They can overlook a player’s declining athleticism or injury history. But unprofessional behavior? That’s unforgivable.

China’s basketball league has seen its fair share of foreign stars come and go. Some, like Marbury and Lofton, built legendary careers there. Others, like Harrell, made one mistake too many.

• No team wants to deal with a player who might break contracts.
• No franchise wants a player who causes off-court distractions.
• No coach wants to build around a guy who might leave at any moment.

With plenty of talented foreign players available, why would any CBA team take a risk on Harrell?

The answer is simple: they won’t.

The Big3 Move: A Lifeline or a Last Resort?

With his CBA hopes crushed, Harrell has turned to the Big3 league.

Founded by rapper and businessman Ice Cube, the Big3 is a growing three-on-three professional league featuring former NBA players.

But let’s be honest—this isn’t the same as playing in the CBA.

• The Big3 doesn’t offer major contracts like China.
• It doesn’t have the global exposure that Harrell would’ve gotten in a traditional league.
• It doesn’t provide a pathway back to the NBA.

For Harrell, this is survival mode.

With the Big3 season starting in June, he now faces months of waiting before he can even get back on the court.

Could he still return to the NBA?

In theory, yes.

But in reality? It’s a long shot.

• Harrell’s last NBA stint (with the 76ers in 2022-23) was underwhelming.
• No team has shown serious interest in signing him as a free agent.
• The modern NBA values stretch bigs, and Harrell doesn’t shoot threes.

For now, the Big3 is his best (and only) option.

Could Harrell Have Been the Next Lofton?

One of the biggest what-ifs in this story is:

What if Harrell had handled things professionally?

Look at Kenneth Lofton Jr.—a player thriving in the CBA.

• Huge stats
• Major fanbase in China
• Endorsements and financial success
• An actual career in a respected league

Harrell could have had the same future.

Instead, he’s now playing in a league that lacks NBA exposure, making a fraction of what he would have earned in China, and watching other foreign stars succeed where he failed.

A costly mistake.

Final Thoughts: A Career-Altering Blunder

Montrezl Harrell was set up for success in China.

He had the talent, the opportunity, and the marketability to be one of the CBA’s biggest stars.

Instead, one reckless decision ruined everything.

Now, instead of earning millions in China, he’s playing in the Big3, a league that—while entertaining—doesn’t offer the same financial or career benefits.

Some mistakes cost you money.
Some mistakes cost you respect.

Harrell’s mistake cost him both.