‣ Marcus Morris and the San Antonio Spurs have agreed to a contract buyout, making Morris a free agent eligible for the postseason.
‣ Morris was part of a three-team deal involving the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers, and after being traded to the Spurs, he did not play any games for them before the buyout.
‣ There is speculation and hints from former teammate Patrick Beverley that Morris is considering signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team with a strong record and potential for a deep playoff run.
Marcus Morris has agreed to a contract buyout with the San Antonio Spurs to become a free agent, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The productive veteran forward secures playoff eligibility and is now candidate to join a postseason contender.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Details
So, the San Antonio Spurs and Marcus Morris, a seasoned forward with 13 years under his belt, have decided to part ways. Yep, you heard that right. Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium spilled the beans. Interestingly, Morris, who’s 34, didn’t even play a game with the Spurs. Talk about a short stint.
Now, here’s where it gets a bit more tangled. On February 8, as part of a three-way deal involving the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers, Morris found himself traded to San Antonio. The package also included some cash and a 2029 second-round draft pick, all before the trade deadline buzzed.
So, what’s next for Morris? He’s hitting the free agent market just before Friday’s cutoff. That’s the deadline for free agents to be eligible for the playoffs, by the way. But here’s the kicker: to keep that playoff eligibility, a player doesn’t need to be signed by the stroke of midnight on March 1. It’s all about being waived in time.
Shams Charania dropped a tweet confirming the buyout. Morris is now eyeing a spot in the playoffs with a new team. It’s all about finding the right fit for this playoff-bound veteran.
Morris had a stint with the 76ers this season, clocking in 37 games and starting seven. His averages? Not too shabby: 6.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 17.2 minutes per game. His shooting was on point too—43.9% from the field, 40% from three, and an impressive 86.1% from the free-throw line.
Remember those standout performances? Morris dropped a season-high 17 points on two occasions. Once in a nail-biter against the Atlanta Hawks and then against the Denver Nuggets. Both games were a spectacle, but sadly, they ended in losses for Philly.
Now, let’s stir the pot a bit. Rumors are swirling about Morris possibly joining the Minnesota Timberwolves. His hefty $17.11 million pre-buyout salary does throw a wrench into which playoff teams could sign him, thanks to the collective bargaining agreement.
Patrick Beverley, Morris’s ex-teammate from the Sixers, hinted earlier this month that Morris was eyeing the Timberwolves. And why not? Minnesota’s killing it this season, leading the Western Conference with a solid record. They’re beasts at home and on the road, making them a tantalizing option for Morris.
Pat Bev even tweeted about Morris’s potential move to the Timberwolves. He believes Morris’s veteran savvy could be the secret sauce for a team eyeing a deep playoff run.
Speaking of playoffs, the Timberwolves have a promising squad with Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert. But their playoff experience? Not so much. Adding a seasoned player like Morris could be a game-changer.
Morris isn’t new to playoff pressure, by the way. With the Clippers last year, he averaged 8.7 points and 4.0 rebounds in the first round against the Suns. And let’s not forget his rookie playoff run with the Detroit Pistons—Morris was a force to be reckoned with.
So, there you have it. Marcus Morris’s journey is far from over. From a contract buyout with the Spurs to potentially boosting a playoff contender, it’s all up in the air. But one thing’s for sure: the NBA’s off-season is never dull.
