The Cleveland Cavaliers signed ahead Marcus Morris for the rest of the 2023-24 NBA season, the group introduced Friday. Morris beforehand inked a 10-day contract with the Cavaliers on March 18.
Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff pushed so as to add Morris within the wake of accidents to protect Donovan Mitchell (nasal fracture), ahead Evan Mobley (ankle), and guard Max Strus (knee).
Mobley returned to motion on Sunday, Strus got here again on Wednesday, and Mitchell is slated to return as early as Friday night time in opposition to the visiting Philadelphia 76ers.
In accordance to some NBA betting websites, the Cavaliers maintain third-best odds to win the championship. Sportsbooks are exhibiting higher odds for the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets.
Let’s #LetEmKnow, Mook!
FULL RELEASE: https://t.co/4FqwIJnBoI pic.twitter.com/4O8tggEx8Q
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 29, 2024
“My relationship with J.B.,” Morris mentioned when requested why he signed with the Cavs. “We’ve been speaking for the previous couple weeks. Been speaking basketball and watching the sport. I used to be like, ‘Man, I feel I may help.’ He was like, ‘We might like to have you ever.’ The remaining was historical past.”
Morris, 34, has averaged 7.8 factors, 3.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 18.4 minutes in 5 video games off the bench with the Cavaliers. He’s capturing 43.8% from the sector and from 3-point vary as nicely.
Moreover, in his Cavaliers debut in opposition to the Indiana Pacers on March 18, he recorded 14 factors and 4 rebounds in 19 minutes as a reserve. The Pennsylvania native shot 5-of-7 (71.4%) from the ground and made 4 3-pointers.
Cleveland Cavaliers are Marcus Morris’ eighth group throughout his 13-year NBA profession
Cleveland is the third group to signal Morris this season. He missed the primary 4 video games with the Los Angeles Clippers, performed 37 video games with the Sixers, and was then traded to the San Antonio Spurs in a three-team deal on Feb. 8 earlier than agreeing to a contract buyout.
In fact, Morris was waived on Feb. 29 with out enjoying a sport for San Antonio. Morris was additionally slated to earn $17.11 million with the Clippers this season.
In actual fact, that quantity was a part of the four-year, $64 million deal he signed with the group in November 2020.
#Cavs president Koby Altman pronounces the group has signed Marcus Morris Sr. for the remainder of the season. pic.twitter.com/OA4QZzhWCM
— Spencer Davies (@SpinDavies) March 29, 2024
Moreover, Morris was chosen 14th general by the Houston Rockets within the 2011 NBA Draft out of the College of Kansas. By means of 13 seasons, he has profession averages of 12 factors, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per sport. The Cavaliers are his eighth NBA group.
Morris has performed in 825 profession video games (509 begins) with the Rockets (2011-13), Phoenix Suns (2013-15), Detroit Pistons (2015-17), Celtics (2017-19), New York Knicks (2019-20 season), Clippers (2020-23), 76ers (2023-24 season), and now Cavs.
The Cavaliers (44-29) rank fourth within the Jap Convention standings with simply 9 video games left of the common season. The Cavs path the third-seeded Knicks (44-28) by half a sport. Cleveland additionally leads the No. 5-seeded Orlando Magic (42-30) by 1 1/2 video games.