Montrezl Harrell and the Adelaide 36ers are preparing to part ways, sources told ESPN.
Harrell -- an eight-year NBA veteran -- has faced complications following a doping violation he was found guilty of while playing in China over the offseason, sources said, with the 36ers unable to navigate around the situation.
The move comes less than a week out from the 36ers' NBL regular season opener, with the team set to face the Brisbane Bullets on Sunday afternoon to begin their 2025-26 campaign.
Harrell was a member of the 36ers last season, where he averaged 20.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game; the 6'7 power forward was named to 2025 All-NBL Second Team.
The 31-year-old re-signed with the 36ers in the offseason, and arrived in Adelaide shortly after the NBL Blitz. The team has gauged plans to sign two imports, sources said: one in place of Harrell, and another who can operate as an injury replacement for Ben Griscti.
Vrenz Bleijenbergh - a 6'10 Belgian wing who was recently released from the South East Melbourne Phoenix - played with the 36ers for their exhibition game against Panathinaikos on Sunday and is an option the team has shown some interest in signing long-term, sources said, though nothing has eventuated in that regard.
Harell was among the 36ers' high-profile signings in the off-season, headlined by five-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton and experienced import Zylan Cheatham, who joined the established local core of Isaac Humphries and Dejan Vasiljevic.