New York Knicks: Why Marcus Morris could be the best offseason signing

It was announced that free agent forward Marcus Morris had backed out of an agreement with the San Antonio Spurs and instead signed with the New York Knicks. With the front office bringing in many new players in free agency, this deal could be looked upon as one of the best in the league by the end of the season.

While it wasn’t overly surprising that the New York Knicks signed Marcus Morris given their reported interest in him before free agency began, it’s certainly nice to see the front office bring in the 29-year old. Marcus Morris (not to be confused with his identical twin brother Markieff Morris) averaged 13.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game for the Boston Celtics last year.

His shooting is also solid, as he shot just under 45% from the field and 38% from three this past season. Morris’ all-around game should fit in nicely with New York’s young core, and hopefully, he can stay around for more than one season. Here’s why.

Winning Culture

Marcus Morris has been a significant contributor for winning organizations, with his teams making the playoffs in 3 out of his past four seasons. He’s also been an underrated team defender, as his squads have consistently been in the top 10 in terms of opponent points-per-game for the past three years.

While his defensive statistics are slightly below-average, this can be attributed to him being tasked with guarding top forwards like Lebron James, Kawhi Leonard, and Giannis Antetokounmpo on a nightly basis. He isn’t a bad defender by any means, as his large frame (6’9″, 235 pounds) allows him to hold his own and slow down some of the top forwards in the league, which is something that the Knicks had a lot of trouble with last season.

Another important aspect of his game is his range from behind the arc, where he’s been a consistent threat. He sports a respectable 36% clip from downtown throughout his career on around four attempts per game. This is especially important for the Knicks, as they ranked 28th in the NBA in three-point percentage during the 2018-19 season.

Contract Value

The 1-year deal given to Morris is no surprise given the short-term deals handed out to every free agent signing by the Knicks front office. General manager Scott Perry has been adamant on maintaining cap space, with no new signing being locked in for more than two years.

However, the fact that the former Celtic only signed for $15 million is somewhat confusing. Similar forwards signed huge long-term deals this offseason, with a prime example being free agent Harrison Barnes (16.4 points per game, 42% shooting) receiving a massive 4-year, $85 million contract. The fact that the Knicks were able to pick up Morris for much less both in terms of contract longevity and price should be considered a steal.

Another reason that this signing should be celebrated is the potential trade value that Marcus Morris holds. If this upcoming season goes south and the Knicks are out of the playoff picture early, you can bet that teams are going to come calling about Morris. In that case, they could flip him for future picks or young players, maybe even both.

Attitude and Grit

Marcus Morris has shown time and time again that he’s unafraid of any confrontation, going at it with some of the best in the league.

His toughness and hustle should make him a beloved player in New York, where he can hopefully play a major part in bringing the team back to the playoffs.

While most NBA deals made around this time aren’t usually major, the signing of Morris could be looked upon as a significant move made by the Knicks a few years down the road.