Forward Markieff Morris intends to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Morris was bought out by the Detroit Pistons with an intent to sign with a contender.
Markieff Morris plans to sign with Lakers, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 21, 2020
Ansar Khan of MLive reports that, by accepting the buyout, Morris has declined his second-year player option worth $3.36 million.
The 30-year-old Morris spent 44 games with the Pistons, who were expected to contend for a playoff spot this season. A rash of injuries to Blake Griffin and Reggie Jackson sent that plan spiraling downward. For Detroit, Morris averaged 11 points and 3.9 rebounds per game on 45% shooting. With the Lakers, Morris is expected to take over the backup power forward role. That will, in turn, push Kyle Kuzma to play more small forward.
Morris has been sold on a backup power forward role with the Lakers — with more minutes for Kyle Kuzma at the three now. Sets up Markieff vs. Marcus Morris in Los Angeles. https://t.co/iSIFzCy62F
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 21, 2020
As if the Lakers-Clippers in-town rivalry was not juicy enough, now it is a sibling rivalry. Markeiff’s brother, Marcus, was traded to the Clippers at the deadline. Both Los Angeles teams are eying a Larry O’Brien trophy, and the acquisitions of the Morris twins adds a fun wrinkle to an expected playoff bloodbath.
