With not enough shots to allocate next season, Morris may be the odd man out
Marcus Morris, who averaged over 13 points and 5 rebounds per game last season, may have been one of the streakiest players on Brad Stevens’ squad. Some nights, he was a force to be reckoned with on the offensive end. Others, he was a low-efficiency chucker.
With Gordon Hayward coming back along with emerging stars in Tatum, Brown and Rozier sure to demand more shot attempts, the Boston Celtics simply don’t have enough shots to go around.
As the old saying goes – there’s only one ball. Moving on from Morris would also give defensive savant Semi Ojeleye more playing time.
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While a player like Morris would be a luxury on any contending team, it’s unlikely that the Celtics would garner any significant assets, as the 28 year-old hits unrestricted free-agency next July.
Dealing Morris wouldn’t just be advantageous for the Celtics on the court, but it would also be a smart move off the court, as the team is currently set to be over the luxury tax threshold.
In a scenario where Morris is dealt, the Celtics would receive a second-round pick or two while not taking back any salary. The forward is set to make just over $5 million next season.
With the departures of key players Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute in free-agency, the Rockets are in dire need of quality wing depth. Although Houston would be a prime destination for Morris, they don’t possess any non-guaranteed contracts or traded player exceptions – vital assets in the Celtics pursuit to get back under the aforementioned threshold. This would make a third team necessary in any deal that sends Morris to Clutch-City.
The Pelicans, a team that currently owns two non-guaranteed contracts in DeAndre Liggins and Emeka Okafor would be another ideal fit, considering Morris would slot right into their starting lineup. Along with Liggins and Okafor (a total salary of $4.24 million), the Pelicans could send a future second-round draft pick or two to Boston in exchange for Morris.
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At the end of the day, the Celtics are built to make another deep playoff run and to challenge the Warriors for the title, with or without Morris on the roster. If kept beyond the NBA trade deadline in February of 2019, it would be very unlikely that Morris would be re-signed after the season.