Marcus Morris is heading back to New York — at least, for now.
The Knicks have signed the free agent veteran forward to a non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 training camp deal, New York announced in a press statement (Twitter link).
An Exhibit 9 contract contains language that protects teams in the event of a preseason injury. As detailed in our glossary entry, the Knicks would only be on the hook for $15K should Morris get hurt while under contract, rather than having to cover the prorated portion of his salary until he recovers.
Unlike an Exhibit 10 deal, an Exhibit 9 contract cannot be converted into a two-way deal prior to the season, though Morris has too many years of NBA service to be eligible for a two-way anyway. The veteran forward also won’t be eligible for the Exhibit 10 bonus (worth up to $77.5K) available to players who are cut and then spend time with their team’s G League affiliate.
Morris is the second NBA veteran this weekend to have signed with the Knicks on an Exhibit 9 contract, along with the previously announced addition of shooting guard Landry Shamet.
New York has 14 of its 15 standard roster spots occupied. It seems likely that Morris will compete against Shamet and combo forward Chuma Okeke for that final slot. Shamet and Morris could theoretically add some floor-spacing depth for a Knicks club that is looking to improve on its 50-32 record last season and advance to its first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years.
Across 13 pro seasons, the 6’8″ Morris has suited up for the Rockets, Suns, Pistons, Celtics, Clippers, Sixers and Cavaliers. Morris last played for New York during the first half of the 2019/20 season, during David Fizdale‘s final days on the team’s bench.
In his prime, the now-35-year-old was a stellar 3-and-D role player on several deep playoff clubs.
The Kansas alum split his 2023/24 season between Philadelphia and Cleveland as a veteran reserve, logging an average of 6.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game with a shooting line of .439/.403/.818.
Morris had good years in NY. At 35 he should still have something.
Morris and Shamet would both be good additions
Usually it hard for teams to manage personalities when it has 13 or so guys that all feel they deserve minutes and egos get hurt when they don’t but for this Knicks team they seem to have the least egotistical guys. It starts from coach Thibs and what it is, its just hunger to win. Really good decisions being made in NY and players want to be apart of it
Is this Morris seeking revenge because the 76ers would not offer even the vets min? I thought it was reported CLE wanted him back but he wanted to go to Philly and did not want to settle for the min.
Everyone knows the Cavs are going nowhere without anymore vets on the team
Morris to the Knicks brings historically good vibes. It would be good if he has enough left to make the team.
Morris’ belated FA signing by the NYK in 2019 (the third 2019 FA PF we signed after Randle and Portis) turned out to be the rarest of the things, a good move by the Mills regime (of course it took Bullock failing his physical to make happen). Morris had a breakout year to become the NYK best player in 2019-20, before being traded to the LAC. NYK picked up two draft picks in the trade, 1) a late 2020 LAC FRP that led to Quickley (and a 2023 DET SRP) and 2) a 2021 DET SRP that led to RoKu and McBride. Quickley and that latter SRP were 2 of the 3 assets sent to TOR for OG and Achiuwa. Three members of our 2 deep.
Either Shamet or Morris would give the Knicks some solid end of bench minutes, but I still would rather the team look for another true big man.
This is a good move. No need for Okeke or Shamet now. Okeke has defense but at 6’6 (don’t tell me about wingspan that’s SG height) and Shamet’s shooting but they should be good
They need a backup C.
Trade Dadiet, Ariel with the draft rights to Rokas, Lessort and Vaulet for a C (if someone needs to be traded then Bates-Diop or Jefferies if he is he picked up but idk why ). Then sign Carmelo Anthony out of retirement for a bench role and go for it all
Solid pickup
Super loaded knicks…
I guess Ryan A not coming back to finish the Nova Infinity Stone’s