13-Year NBA Veteran Joins Eastern Conference Contender

Morris began the season with the Los Angeles Clippers before the team dealt him to the Philadelphia 76ers in November in a package for James Harden. After 37 games with the 76ers, Philadelphia traded Morris to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team trade for Buddy Hield from the Indiana Pacers. Morris never suited up for the Spurs, and the team waived him on February 29. After the Spurs waived him, expectations were that Morris would end up joining the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, this obviously never came to fruition. Because he was bought out before March 1, Morris is eligible to play for Cleveland’s postseason roster.

On the season, the 34-year-old is averaging 6.7 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Furthermore, Morris is shooting 43.9% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc.

13-Year NBA Veteran Joins Eastern Conference Contender

Marcus Morris is a Good Pickup for the Cavaliers

Signing Morris will not guarantee a championship for Cleveland. However, he is a good player for the team to acquire. Morris is a tough and aggressive player on both sides of the floor. He is a good three-point shooter who can spot up or create his own shot. Furthermore, he is a versatile defender who can guard on the perimeter and in the paint. Morris is also a very underrated post player both on offense and defense. Though he is not as effective as he was a few years ago he is a long-time veteran who has been on successful teams for numerous seasons. Additionally, Morris can play both forward positions well.

As he will likely be used mostly coming off the bench, Morris is a very good depth piece. Currently, the Cavaliers are missing forwards Max Strus and Evan Mobley. Neither player has played a game since early March, and it is unclear when they will return to the court. Bringing in Morris will allow them some much-needed rest ahead of the postseason. Additionally, Morris may even crack the team’s playoff rotation, which will help sure up their second unit.

Where Cleveland Now Stands in the Eastern Conference

In large part due to their core of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and Mobley, the Cavaliers are a top team in the Eastern Conference. Currently, the Cavaliers are the No. 3 seed in the East and are just 0.5 games behind the Bucks for the No. 2 seed. Though they have yet to officially clinch a spot, it seems inevitable the Cavaliers will make it to the playoffs. Signing Morris gives them a boost for a late-season push to potentially finish ahead of the Bucks in the standings.

The Last Word on Marcus Morris to the Cleveland Cavaliers

Morris is a solid, well-rounded veteran who can act as an enforcer on a relatively young Cavaliers team. This is a very low-risk, high-reward signing for the team.