MARCH 29: The Cavaliers have officially signed Morris for the remainder of the season, the team confirmed today in a press release.
MARCH 28: Forward Marcus Morris saw his 10-day contract with the Cavaliers expire overnight, temporarily making him an unrestricted free agent.
However, he won’t remain a free agent for long — according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (Twitter link), the Cavs plan to bring Morris back on a deal that covers the remainder of the 2023/24 season.
Many players who sign 10-day deals don’t play much for their new clubs, but that was not the case for Morris. He averaged 7.8 points and 3.0 rebounds in 18.4 minutes per game across his five appearances with Cleveland.
A 13-year NBA veteran, Morris has technically been on four teams this season, but he didn’t play in any games for two of them (the Clippers and Spurs). He was sent from L.A. to Philadelphia in the James Harden deal, then shipped from Philly to San Antonio at the February deadline.
The 34-year-old was waived by the Spurs at the end of last month, making him eligible for the playoffs. He found a new team a couple weeks later when he signed with Cleveland.
The Cavs have one opening on their standard roster, which means they don’t need to cut anyone to re-sign Morris. Their 18-man roster will be full once the deal is official.
Always good to add a vet who’s been there. Morris has toughness and has playoff experienced. Makes sense.
Down to last 10 gms. And Bucks, Cavs, Knicks. Are playing for that 2nd seed. Should be fun.
I’ve said all year. Do not dismiss the Cavs. Looks like they will be healthy for playoffs.
I can’t get there with the Cavs. They look great on paper, but I have no reason to believe their playoff fate will be any different than last year (especially regarding toughness, spacing, end of game decision making).
Until I see them prove it they seem like the Sacramento of the east to me.
Spacing was very obviously fixed. 19th and 24th in 3P and 3PA/G in ’22-’23, to 7th and 8th respectively, at basically the same accuracy. There’s no way anyone can say that it’s the same as last year. Rebounding also jumped eleven spots, assists ten spots. The team is strictly better, more of a team. Just less luck with injuries.
Yeah they have to prove it…. I think after last yr. They are ready. Young talent has to step up. Help Donovan.
Great but curious signing. Especially a night after they didn’t play him in a loss to the Hornets. His physical style could have helped in a close game.
Niang was on fire, which explains some of it, as they have the same role. But playing LeVert for nearly 30 minutes when he clearly didn’t have it is baffling to me.