LA Clippers: Marcus Morris joins the team in Orlando
Marcus Morris recently joined the LA Clippers in the NBA bubble in Orlando.
The LA Clippers got a little bit closer to full strength recently when forward Marcus Morris joined the team in Orlando for the first time since the start of the NBA bubble.
It has not been reported why Morris, or his twin brother Markieff did not travel to Orlando with their respective teams earlier this month. Markieff is expected to join the Lakers some time today.
The Clippers will certainly benefit from Morris returning, especially since it was recently learned that center Montrezl Harrell will be leaving the team in Orlando to tend to a family emergency. Head coach Doc Rivers put it bluntly when speaking to The Undefeated’s Marc Spears:
“It’s great…Much better, obviously missing hurts, but now we get to have practices with him instead of throwing him out on the floor. I think this will help in a big way.”
The Clippers are scheduled to take on the Lakers on Thursday, July 30 at 6:00 PM Pacific when the NBA restarts next week. Both the team and Morris can use the week of practices until then to get reacquainted with each other after the three-plus month layoff from action.
Morris was acquired by the Clippers from the New York Knicks in a three-team trade before this season’s deadline. He was immediately inserted into the starting lineup, where he’s averaged 9.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in 28.3 minutes per night in 12 games with the team. He adds to the Clippers already-impressive depth with his ability to space the floor and his on-court toughness.
The 30-year-old forward will enter free agency at the end of this season. The Clippers have already indicated they would like to re-sign both him and Montrezl Harrell to keep the core of their contending roster intact for the foreseeable future.
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With Marcus Morris joining the LA Clippers in Orlando, the team is one step closer to being whole again. With their full roster intact, the team remains one of the favorites to bring home this year’s NBA championship.