Although Marcus Morris Sr., the new forward for the Cavaliers, didn’t know exactly what the future held after receiving a buyout from the San Antonio Spurs last month, he was hoping for something similar to happen.
Morris participated in his first shootaround with his new teammates on Monday morning after formally signing a 10-day deal with Cleveland.
Morris stated, “I’m just excited to help the team in any way I can and I’m trying to be here for the (playoff) run.” Being a veteran and new to the area. Simply be who I am. Show the boys that you are a natural leader by supporting them and helping them prepare for this run. As there are many young players here and I have experienced numerous postseasons in my career, please assist them in both their preparation and on-court performance.
According to sources who spoke with Cleveland.com, Morris has not received any guarantees from the Cavaliers regarding his spot on the team after this 10-day contract or his role in the interim. Given the extensive injury list, it’s feasible that, if the fit is good, he’ll sign a normal contract or play another 10-day stint in Cleveland, giving the team depth and insurance heading into the postseason.
After being traded by Philadelphia on February 29, the 34-year-old forward consented to a buyout with San Antonio, which means he can participate in the postseason.
And with J.B. Bickerstaff, the Cavs coach, at his side, it might actually happen.
Morris, now a free agent, has maintained communication with Bickerstaff. From their early days in Houston, when Bickerstaff was an assistant and Morris joined the NBA as a first-round pick out of Kansas, the two have remained close. They were together for a total of two years when Morris was traded to Phoenix, starting his 14-year NBA career of playing for seven different clubs.
The Cavaliers are ranked eighth.
When asked why he signed with the Cavaliers, Morris said sharply, “My relationship with J.B.” We’ve been conversing for the last few weeks. been observing the game and conversing about basketball. “Man, I think I can help,” I thought to myself. “We would love to have you,” he said. The remainder is recorded history.
Before being included in a three-team midseason trade, Morris played in 37 games for Philadelphia this season. With career averages of 12.1 points and 4.5 rebounds in 26.7 minutes, he has played in 820 NBA games (509 starts) with the Houston Rockets, Phoenix, Detroit, Boston, New York, Los Angeles Clippers, and Philadelphia. In addition, he has played in 67 career playoff games (45 of which he started), averaging 12.6 points and 5.1 rebounds in 30.1 minutes, along with a 40.7% 3-point shooting percentage.
The following ten days are, in a sense, an audition, even with that resume.
With Max Strus, Evan Mobley, and Donovan Mitchell out of the lineup for Monday’s game against Indiana, the Cavaliers are expected to be missing three starters in their first-round playoff opponent. Due to knee pain, versatile forward Dean Wade, who had been starting in for the injured Mobley before missing nearly a week due to a personal matter, is rated as doubtful.
Due to a sprained ankle, Mobley has missed six straight games and may be sidelined for the remainder of this week, if not longer.
Strus is still receiving treatment for a strained knee he sustained late in Cleveland’s March 3 loss to the New York Knicks. He hasn’t played much on the court in the past two weeks and might not play again until later in the month.
On Saturday, Wade missed his fourth straight game. Wade was held out of Saturday’s 117-103 loss in Houston despite returning to the team after a week-long absence due to a personal problem and exercising on Friday afternoon. Wade’s knee pain was noted on the injury report.
The three players did not take part in the shootaround on Monday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana.
Mitchell, whose left knee bruise has been bothering him for about a month, didn’t improve either. In addition, he suffered a nasal fracture from a teammate Tristan Thompson’s unintentional elbow to the face over the weekend in Houston. In addition to missing Monday’s game against Indiana, Mitchell may miss a few more games while he heals from these ailments.
The most problematic knee is the sore one.
After receiving an infusion of platelet-rich plasma two weeks prior, Mitchell missed seven games in a row until making a comeback last week. After Saturday’s defeat in Houston, Mitchell acknowledged he needed more time to allow his knee to heal and expressed his anger at not being able to “blow by” defenders.
Almost half of Bickerstaff’s regular nightly rotation consists of just four members.
Due to the simultaneous injuries to Wade and Mobley, Bickerstaff had to alter his starting lineups and rotations for the frontcourt. This allowed veteran shooter Georges Niang to emerge from his scoring slump. On Saturday night, he scored a scorching 14 points, making 4 of 5 field goals and 2 of 5 three-pointers. Niang has scored in double figures for the sixth time in the previous six games, a run of play that has essentially coincided with Wade’s absence and increased playing time.
Damian Jones, the backup centre, has also moved up a spot to assist in covering for the injured power forward. In a perfect scenario, the Cavs might use a small-ball team with Caris LeVert or Isaac Okoro starting at the four slot. Additionally, because Cleveland once again has a complete roster, Isaiah Mobley, who is on a two-way deal, is not subject to the same restrictions on playing time.
With the assistance of Thompson, a longtime friend of Morris, and former teammate Niang, Morris is currently striving to catch up rapidly.
Morris remarked, “I think everyone is taking the time to let me know the little things.” “Tristan has started sharing small things with me. I am familiar with the league. Thus, all that needs to be done is understand the jargon; the rest will work itself out.
Play has been inconsistent for Cleveland since the All-Star break due to injuries. With a record of 42-25, the Cavs are one and a half games behind Milwaukee, who is ranked second in the Eastern Conference. They are just 4-6 in their previous ten games after suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of the Rockets.
Morris might be able to help.
Morris added, “I’m capable of doing a lot of things.” “Move the ball. Give it some space. Great bigs that can pass out of the pocket are available. A highly talented point guard. Guys who approach the game correctly. During my time spent at home relaxing in the sun with my children, I have just focused on observing this team’s excellent ball movement and defence.
“They’re a terrific bunch of guys with a nice blend. I’m happy to be here.
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