Markieff Morris and the Washington Wizards were rocked this week by the news that All-Star point guard suffered a torn Achilles after a freak accident as he was recovering from a separate surgery on the same leg. If there were questions about the Wizards future after Wall’s injury news was announced, there are almost no doubts as the trade deadline approaches.
Earlier on Wednesday night, wingman Otto Porter was traded to the Chicago Bulls and then the Wizards doubled down by trading another veteran wingman in Markieff Morris. The Pelicans are sending Wesley Johnson in exchange for Morris.
Following comes from an official press release.
The Washington Wizards announced today that they have acquired forward Wesley Johnson from New Orleans in exchange for Markieff Morris and a 2023 second round pick.
“This trade gives us a veteran wing player and former first round pick in Wesley who will add experience and shooting to our bench,” said Grunfeld. “Markieff was an important part of our team during his time here and we appreciate his contributions over the last four seasons.”
The move by the Wizards was primarily to get them under the luxury tax to finish out this season while retaining Bradley Beal in the process as Wall recovers.
Multiple teams said today that Markieff Morris was available for very little — likely to get the Wizards under the tax.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) February 7, 2019
These two deals were tax-related and thus, related to each other, so let's judge them together.
Wizards gain: Wes Johnson's expiring, Bobby Portis' expiring, Jabari Parker's expiring
Wizards lose: Otto Porter, Markieff Morris' expiring
Net-zero on draft picks.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) February 7, 2019
By trading Markieff Morris for Wesley Johnson, Washington is out of the tax this season — which has been Wizards’ goal this week. Morris has been out for some time with a neck injury, but could be an intriguing buyout market candidate if he can get healthy.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 7, 2019
A Wizards team pinching pennies with a little less than half the season to go should present some empty seats in DC. The Wizards direction going forward will be quite an interesting one as they forge along with an injured John Wall making about $40 million per year for the next four years.
