NBA Rumors: Marcus Morris Targeted by 76ers, Mavs, Heat, Wolves, Cavs, More in FA
July 3, 2024
Multiple teams including the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers are interested in signing veteran forward Marcus Morris in free agency, Keith Pompey reported for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves are among the teams that have "expressed some level of interest," a source told Pompey.
Morris split the 2023-24 season between the Sixers and Cavaliers. He averaged 6.4 points and 2.7 rebounds in 49 regular-season contests, and 6.1 points through nine playoff games in Cleveland.
Although his volume decreased, Morris shot 43.9 percent from the field and 40.3 during the 2023-24 regular season.
The Sixers might have an advantage as teams pursue Morris in free agency due to his ties to his hometown. Morris in January received a key to the city alongside his twin brother Markieff Morris for their charitable contributions to Philadelphia.
The 2024 postseason with the Cavaliers marked the seventh playoffs appearance of Marcus' career, and his first without a spot in his team's rotation (h/t The Athletic's Joe Vardon).
Marcus played only limited minutes for the first two games but ended up demonstrating his importance as a depth player by stepping up in an injured rotation to help Cleveland win the first round in seven games against the Orlando Magic.
Morris played 37 games and made seven starts for his hometown Sixers before he was moved to the San Antonio Spurs as part of the three-team Buddy Hield trade.
The Spurs then waived Morris, who signed with the Cavaliers as a free agent.
Morris has averaged 12.0 points and 4.4 rebounds through 832 career regular-season games with the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Pistons, Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Sixers and Cavaliers.
Although no longer the sharpshooter from deep that he was with the Clippers, Morris could bring veteran presence and physicality on a relatively affordable contract for a team looking to bolster its reserves.