The playoff campaign of Marcus Morris with the Cavaliers (6.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in 15 minutes on average over 9 games) proved that the 34-year-old's 3-4 position still has some left in it. Still a free agent, Markieff Morris' brother is reportedly of interest to quite a few teams. Rumors include the Hornets, the Pistons, the Heat, the Pelicans and the Wolves. But it would be Cleveland and Philadelphia, the two teams he played for this season, who would be in the running to get him.
While one might think that the Cavs would be in a strong position, with a little more money to offer than Philly, which can only offer him a veteran's minimum contract, the fact of returning to his hometown, but also of playing alongside Joel Embiid, would tip the scales in favor of the Sixers. He had also left Pennsylvania on good terms last February,
“For sure. I've built a really good relationship with those guys. … Certainly being here with Joel Embiid after playing against Philly for a long time, and being on his side, it felt different,” did he declare before discussing the importance of playing at home. “I felt like it was something that helped my career. You know, sometimes you've been playing for so long that you look for different things that make you want to go out and play. Being home is part of that for me.”
At this point in his career, money is no longer the priority. Even though he could make double that in Cleveland, his heart still leans toward the City of Brotherly Love.
“Being home made me feel so free. I felt so much love. So yeah, I would definitely consider coming back, I just hope we can do something. It’s a business too. And it won’t be a drama if it doesn’t happen.”he added.
Finding the best compromise
In summary, Marcus Morris finds himself in a strong position with two great offers on the table. And if he doesn't return to Philadelphia, which also has its sights set on Davis Bertans, it will be an equally exciting challenge that will present itself to him in Ohio, where he also managed to make a name for himself at the end of last season.
“Everybody in the front office is great. It’s a top franchise, with top players as well. They’re really cool. They’re young, but they’re really good. Everybody comes to work, everybody enjoys being there. I really enjoyed my time there. They were really good people. I didn’t know what to expect when I got there, but I loved it.”he continued.
A month after the opening of free agency, Marcus Morris does not intend to rush. “I'm just taking my time, because everybody needs a veteran who can still play, be part of a good environment in the locker room. I'm taking my time to see what happens, what can be good for both parties.”
| Marcus Morris | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2011-12 | WHOA | 17 | 7 | 29.6 | 11.8 | 75.0 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 2.4 |
| 2012-13 * | All Teams | 77 | 20 | 42.2 | 36.9 | 56.4 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 3.6 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 7.7 |
| 2012-13 * | WHOA | 54 | 21 | 42.8 | 38.1 | 65.3 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 4.1 | 0.9 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 8.6 |
| 2012-13 * | PHX | 23 | 16 | 40.5 | 30.8 | 40.5 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 5.7 |
| 2013-14 | PHX | 82 | 22 | 44.2 | 38.1 | 76.1 | 1.0 | 2.9 | 3.9 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 9.7 |
| 2014-15 | PHX | 81 | 25 | 43.4 | 35.8 | 62.8 | 0.9 | 3.9 | 4.8 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 10.4 |
| 2015-16 | DET | 80 | 36 | 43.4 | 36.2 | 74.9 | 1.1 | 3.9 | 5.1 | 2.5 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 14.1 |
| 2016-17 | DET | 79 | 33 | 41.8 | 33.1 | 78.4 | 1.0 | 3.7 | 4.7 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 14.0 |
| 2017-18 | BOS | 54 | 27 | 42.9 | 36.8 | 80.5 | 0.8 | 4.6 | 5.4 | 1.3 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 13.6 |
| 2018-19 | BOS | 75 | 28 | 44.7 | 37.5 | 84.4 | 1.0 | 5.1 | 6.1 | 1.5 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 14.0 |
| 2019-20 * | All Teams | 62 | 31 | 43.8 | 40.8 | 82.3 | 1.0 | 4.1 | 5.0 | 1.4 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 16.7 |
| 2019-20 * | NYK | 43 | 32 | 44.2 | 43.9 | 82.3 | 1.1 | 4.3 | 5.4 | 1.4 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 19.6 |
| 2019-20 * | LAKE | 19 | 29 | 42.5 | 31.0 | 81.8 | 0.6 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 1.4 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 10.1 |
| 2020-21 | LAKE | 57 | 26 | 47.3 | 47.3 | 82.0 | 0.6 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 13.4 |
| 2021-22 | LAKE | 54 | 29 | 43.4 | 36.7 | 87.2 | 0.5 | 3.9 | 4.4 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 15.4 |
| 2022-23 | LAKE | 65 | 28 | 42.6 | 36.4 | 78.2 | 0.5 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 11.2 |
| 2023-24 * | All Teams | 49 | 17 | 43.9 | 40.3 | 81.8 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 6.5 |
| 2023-24 * | PHL | 37 | 17 | 43.9 | 40.0 | 86.1 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 6.7 |
| 2023-24 * | KEY | 12 | 15 | 44.1 | 41.4 | 62.5 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 5.8 |
| Total | 832 | 27 | 43.5 | 37.7 | 77.4 | 0.8 | 3.6 | 4.4 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 12.0 | |
How to read the stats? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
