Marcus Morris, who has already been traded once this season, recognizes that his expiring $17.1MM expiring contract makes him a candidate to be dealt again by next Thursday, but the Sixers forward – and Philadelphia native – isn’t let his uncertain future faze him, writes Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“Honestly, to be real with you, like I’m a pro, man,” Morris said on Monday. “So I just go into it with the same (stuff), man, to keep my body the same, because regardless of where I go, I’m still going to be able to help the team win if I’m going somewhere.
“I just hoop. … It’s part of a business. I understand it. I’ve been around. So if I go into it and act, like, sorry for myself or feel like it should never happen or anything, I’m being naive to the game. Being here 13 years gets you prepared for (stuff) like this. I’ve been on seven different teams. I’ve been traded a few times. I would be naive to act like I’d been surprised to get traded.”
Morris has played regular minutes for the 76ers since being acquired from the Clippers in the James Harden trade, so the team would likely only move him in a deal that clearly improves the rotation. It’s unclear whether that sort of opportunity will arise at the trade deadline or whether the Sixers’ front office will have to wait into the offseason to pursue more serious upgrades.
“I’m not 100% sure,” Morris said. “This is my hometown. I love it here. I’m just not sure, but I’m prepared for it.”
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey (left ankle sprain) will miss a third consecutive game on Tuesday, tweets Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT. Star center Joel Embiid may also be out for a third straight contest — he’ll be a game-time decision in Golden State, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). Every potential missed game looms large for Embiid and his awards eligibility.
- Isaiah Hartenstein was in the Knicks‘ starting lineup on Saturday and Monday after missing two games with an Achilles issue, but only logged 32 total minutes in those games. According to Fred Katz of The Athletic (Twitter link), Hartenstein is on a minutes limit, but could have played up to about 25 minutes on Monday — with New York up big, he only ended up playing 16.
- The Celtics could benefit from adding one more big wing to their roster, according to Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston, who considers which players around the NBA might be logical targets for the club. Naji Marshall, Saddiq Bey, and Thaddeus Young are among the players Forsberg mentions.
- After playing in Milwaukee for his first two-and-a-half NBA seasons, Jordan Nwora has been traded in each of the past two winters. Part of Indiana’s package for Pascal Siakam, Nwora is hoping to stick in Toronto and is looking forward to the opportunity he has with the Raptors, writes Eric Koreen of The Athletic. “It’s a new situation, new opportunity, and in my head, I’m just going to just make the most of it,” he said.
Embiid ducking everyone! Jokic, Jerami Grant, and now Steph?
Embiid may not be eligible for MVP, will Jokic win by default or does that open the door for players like Jayson Tatum or Shai Gorgeous-Alexander the Great?
MVP for Brunson!!!
Embiid got his MVP… now to take the easy route to the playoffs so he has some gas left by round 2…
I mean, if you look at it a certain way that’s exactly what Jokic did last season. Only played two of the last seven games.
Granted, Jokic has proven he can perform in the playoffs no matter what, so Embiid is still softer.
The Celtics make me nervous with these type of potential upcoming trades, not wanting to be the “Debbie Downer.”
Just sayin’, despite the fact they’ve clearly won out thus far on the KP and Holiday deals, they HAVE ALSO lost Bane, Smart and Nesmith, along w/ the GS 1st this summer,to get there, moreless. Nesmith is turning into a legit dude now, no doubt, as we saw tonight.
The comparison is ridiculous, I know-C’s have rocked the starting five, even if they had to give up young talent to grab them.
I guess it’s just that it feels difference because Danny boy did most of this the opposite way, you know. I’m scared about the bench, basically, and none here mentioned in relation to Boston’s abilities by the deadline excite me too much, honestly.
You have to give up value to get value. Celtics could use depth. But clearly are a better team now. One who will still get better. With Jrue and KP still fitting in.
Bey would be a great pickup. I’d like to see the Knicks go after him. If he’s available.