Kofi Inkoom
The Los Angeles Clippers are keeping Marcus Morris in their starting lineup as they head into the regular season, despite attempts to trade the 34-year-old veteran over the summer.
According to The Athletic’s Law Murray, Morris will remain in the starting five until the Clippers either find a suitable trade option or officially declare a replacement.
The Clippers had initially intended to send Marcus Morris to the Washington Wizards as part of a three-team trade that also involved Kristaps Porziņģis moving to the Boston Celtics.
However, this deal fell apart when concerns arose regarding Malcolm Brogdon’s injured elbow, which he sustained during the Eastern Conference Finals.
In response, the Celtics shifted their focus to a different three-team trade for Porziņģģis, which included sending Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The decision to explore trade options for Morris gained momentum when the Clippers made the strategic move to bring back Russell Westbrook.
Westbrook’s presence fills the role of a high-usage, ball-dominant point guard, a position the Clippers had been lacking in their roster.
Also, Westbrook showcased his capabilities with the team, averaging 15.8 points and 7.6 assists per game in 21 starts after joining the Clippers.
Initially acquired by the Clippers to serve as the third scoring option behind stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Morris played a pivotal role.
Marcus Morris hit some big shots for the Clippers last season. If him and the Clippers part ways, where do you want to see him go? #MorrisNation pic.twitter.com/4S4gSMbspd
— Sr. (@MookSrBurner) September 15, 2023
However, with Westbrook now in the fold, the dynamics shifted. The nine-time All-Star is set to take on the role of orchestrating the offense down the stretch.
Despite trade rumors swirling around him, Marcus Morris could potentially be a valuable asset for the Clippers in any potential trade.
Morris is entering the current season on an expiring contract with a salary of $17.1 million.
His track record with the Clippers has been commendable, averaging 12.9 points per game while shooting an impressive 39.4 percent from beyond the arc over 195 games with the team.
As the regular season unfolds, all eyes will be on how Morris and the Clippers navigate this unique situation and what the future holds for this talented roster.