The Los Angeles Lakers have seemingly signed everyone they sought out to. Their next target is bringing back Markieff Morris, a buyout market acquisition last year that had a significant impact at times for the team in the playoffs. However, according to the New York Times’ Marc Stein, they will have stiff competition for the forward from their crosstown rivals, the LA Clippers.
The Toronto Raptors were also rumored to be Morris suitors but seem to be out of the running after the signing of Aron Baynes, according to Stein.
Both the Lakers and Clippers are hard-capped and can only offer Morris a veteran minimum deal. The Lakers can offer a little more cash as they have his non-Bird Rights which come with the ability to give him a slight raise over the usual salary. The Clippers, meanwhile, offer him a chance to reunite with his brother, Marcus, who just signed a huge deal to stay in LA after a midseason trade brought him to the Clippers.
Morris averages 5.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in 14 regular season appearance for the purple and gold last year. He appeared in all 21 postseason games, starting two, and averaged 5.9 points and three rebounds while shooting a blistering 42 percent from the arc.
Bringing back Morris would effectively finalize the Lakers frontcourt depth alongside Anthony Davis and new acquisitions Montrezl Harrell and Marc Gasol. He would also give the team some much needed insurance on the wings as they still look to increase their depth there.
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