[ad_1]
The LA Clippers have kept one of their biggest free agent priorities.
Free agent Marcus Morris has agreed to a four-year, $ 64 million contract to return to the Clippers, a source told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The deal comes as sixth man of the year Montrezl Harrell left the Clippers to accept a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Free agent Patrick Patterson is also returning to the Clippers for a one-year contract, Excel sports manager Sam Goldfeder told Wojnarowksi.
Morris only played 19 regular-season and 13 playoff games for the Clippers, who fell short of their title goal by taking a 3-1 lead and losing in the second round to Denver. But Morris started every game he played and became a key contributor, scoring in double digits in nine playoff games.
The 6-8 Morris gave the Clippers versatility in their front court, averaging 11.8 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 47.5% from 3 points in the playoffs.
The Clippers beat the other teams competing for Morris on last season’s deadline by trading Mo Harkless to the New York Knicks, along with a 2020 first-round pick, a 2021 first-round protected trade option and a 2021 second-round pick from Detroit. They also sent guard Jerome Robinson to Washington as part of the three-team deal for Morris.
Morris was a top priority to get into free agency, but with Harrell gone, the Clippers really needed Morris’s versatility to play center and defend big and small alike. Morris also brings his much-needed trademark physiognomy, although he keeps the straight line at times like when he sparked a controversy in the first round against Dallas. He stepped on Luka Doncic’s left ankle in Game 5 and denied attempting to injure Doncic, who was an exception by playing with a sprained ankle. Morris was also sent off in Game 6 after committing a flagrant foul on Doncic. The veteran again denied that he was trying to hurt Doncic.
Morris, 31, played with six teams and had a career season with the Knicks before the trade with the Clippers. He’s averaged a career-high 19.6 points and 43.9% 3-point shooting in 43 games with New York.
[ad_2]
Source link