FA forward Marcus Morris, San Antonio Spurs agree to two-year deal

After shifting some money around, the San Antonio Spurs signed free agent forward Marcus Morris to a two-year deal worth $20 million.

It took some financial maneuvering on the part of general manager R.C. Buford, but the San Antonio Spurs managed to land another key veteran presence this offseason by bringing along forward Marcus Morris, formerly of the Boston Celtics. The 29-year-old is coming off of a career-year that saw him shoot 37.5 percent from behind the arc for a 53.3 percent effective field goal percentage – the best of his NBA career.

Morris is known for his versatility on the wing. Standing at 6-foot-9 with a muscular build and physical playstyle, Morris is an inside-out scorer with catch-and-shoot ability from deep and a bruting interior presence. With 4.5-win shares in the 2018-19 season, Morris provided a shining light for the Celtics amidst a topsy-turvy season between on-court troubles and locker room issues.

Now that the Celtics are shifting in a new direction, it made sense for Morris to explore his options and find a team that’d give him an opportunity to expand his game and make the most of his prime. The rest of the Western Conference is growing stronger with the exception of a few teams, so it’s clear that the Spurs are ready to go to battle. With minimal roster change and a core in place with a strong bond, San Antonio could be a surprisingly successful team next season.

Marcus Morris should give the Brooklyn Nets a big thank you. Without the Nets agreeing to a sign-and-trade to send DeMarre Carroll to San Antonio- Morris would not have been able to sign for the full $9.25M midlevel exception.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 6, 2019

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Although respectful in nature, Morris wears his heart on his sleeve and plays with his emotions on full display. This is the kind of intensity that the Spurs need next season, especially from a player who brings a handful of playoff experience to the table. He’s a playoff performer, shooting an exceptional 42.3 percent from three-point land on 4.1 takes across 32 playoff performances.

Unlike the sacrificial lamb, forward Davis Bertans, Morris understands what it takes to win in the postseason and will do everything in his power to will his team to victory.

His role is mostly unclear at this point. Morris will have a chance to start, but that will be determined by head coach Gregg Popovich around training camp. This signing sends a clear message to the Spurs themselves as well as the team’s doubters: this franchise is a staple of the NBA Playoffs and will do everything in its power to continue their streak of excellence.

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Morris is already a great personality fit with the Spurs and his floor spacing will be crucial to the team’s success. All in all, this was an excellent signing by Buford and should prove to help his organization in the long run.