The Knicks would rather ship out forward Bobby Portis than Marcus Morris and his expiring contract, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. Morris has a one-year, $15MM contract while Portis was signed for two years and $30.75MM, but the Knicks hold an option on the second year. Morris had a 38-point outburst against the Clippers on Sunday and proclaims he’s interested in re-signing. Portis is averaging 10.1 PPG and 5.7 RPG.
“I love our team. I love our future. I just want to be a part of helping these young guys grow into the great players they’re going to be,” Morris said. “That was the reason why I made the decision to come here, going back on the decisions I made, along with a lot of other things. I’m here and I enjoy this organization, I enjoy the players they got here and I want to be here long-term.”
We have more on the Knicks:
- The Knicks could sell high on Morris with the way he’s playing, Marc Berman of the New York Post writes. There’s motivation to trade him for a first-round pick with Morris playing as well as he ever has. “Every team I’ve been on, I’ve played my role,” Morris said. “I’m happy to be able to showcase my talent and take it to another level.” The Clippers are said to be interested and the Sixers are monitoring his situation, Berman adds.
- New York should be able to get a late first-round pick in return for the veteran forward, Colin Martin and Ian Begley of SNY TV relay, but some members of the Knicks organization believe Morris has long-term value with the club. They have been impressed by his play and leadership and see him as a part of their rebuild, the SNY duo adds.
- It would be painful to deal Morris but the Knicks need to continue stockpiling assets, Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post opines.
- Kevin Knox‘s playing time has been reduced in his second season and his confidence has taken a hit, Berman writes in a separate story. The Knicks didn’t draft Knox, a lottery pick, to be a role player but this season he’s become more of an afterthought, Berman adds. Knox is averaging 7.5 PPG in 19.4 MPG after averaging 12.8 PPG in 28.8 MPG last season.
Any trades before the deadline will probably be one-sided with it being such a buyer’s market right now. Very few teams will get a 1st round pick, if any.
I’m sure Houston would package multiple first round picks to rid themselves of westbrick
Houston gave up picks for Westbrook!
Conveniently omitting the dumping cp3 aspect?
You get a 1st for morris you take it. He’s on a 1 year deal and you can always re-sign him in the off season.
Magic, Raptors, Heat could all use his services. Thunder and Spurs make some sense too.
Knox is being limited by his coaching. Trade Morris and Portis, free up minutes for Knox.
Some say Knox stinks.
Knox is limited by his talent. He will be out of the league in three years at the most.
Such a Knicks move to consider hanging onto Morris. If you can get a late first for him, you take it every time. Turn those pointless short term deals into SOMETHING
The better basketball decision would be to immediately (or ASAP) move Randle, regardless of the return (as long as no $$ is taken on), as it would be addition by subtraction. I doubt the Stooges would do it, though, since they have an investment in the guy.
I’d move Morris for a 1st, but the trade landscape right now requires some creativity, and that’s not in the Stooges’ DNA.
Somebody please get randle out of here