With the acquisition of Paul George now completed, the Sixers are turning to options to fill out their roster around their new Big 3. According to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, one potential target is an old friend and native of Philadelphia.
In a Wednesday report, Pompey had this to say on a possible reunion with veteran forward Marcus Morris Sr.:
“The Sixers have interest in signing the power forward to a free-agency deal, according to multiple sources,” Pompey said. “The Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves have also expressed some level of interest, according to a source.”
Morris was acquired last season in the trade that also brought Nico Batum, Robert Covington, and K.J. Martin to Philadelphia in exchange for James Harden. Playing a total of 37 games with the Sixers, starting in seven of them, Morris averaged 6.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and most important of all, shot 40 percent from three on nearly two and a half attempts per game.
To put it bluntly, signing Morris would in no way solve the Sixers’ current hole at power forward. Morris has aged relatively well as he’s heading into his age 35 seasons, but he simply cannot compete defensively to the level that the Sixers need, especially as they make their title push.
To his credit, Morris’ ability as a floor-stretching option is legitimate. More importantly, his leadership in the locker room is unironically his most valuable trait.
After the Sixers’ 138-94 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, head coach Nick Nurse told Philly Sports Network of the impact that Morris had on the team—also speaking of Patrick Beverly:
“Those two guys especially, not only out there on the court tonight gave us a lift, but they’ve been a great lift for about the last five or six days. They’ve really shown some veteran presence in practice, film… pushing everybody to get really focused down and locked in and stuff.”
Morris himself spoke on his leadership and where that comes from that same night:
“It just comes naturally to me. I’ve been in the league for 13 seasons, I’ve always been a professional, always been a leader, and just helping young guys in any way or any capacity, I can use my voice,” Morris said. “I have a high IQ. I’ve been around like great coaches, played for a lot of great coaches and for a lot of great teams. Just being myself. It just comes naturally, just trying to help guys and trying to find a way, trying to find my way.”
It’s here that Morris’ true value is found. Morris obviously has ties to the city, the organization, and Paul George, as the two have played in 159 games as teammates. Philadelphia needs veterans who can form chemistry quickly, as the roster has seen an unusual amount of turnover for a contention-hopeful team.
His game may be far from perfect, but on a minimum deal and in a spot role as a shooter who adds an infusion of toughness, Marcus Morris Sr. is a perfect fit for the City of Brotherly Love once again.
Morris received the key to the city for his charitable work. Should he ultimately return to the Sixers, Morris would have the opportunity to now deliver a championship to his native Philadelphia.
