The New York Knicks have continued to shape their training camp roster by signing forward to an Exhibit 9 contract, mirroring the agreement made with Landry Shamet just the day before. Morris, who previously played for the Knicks during the 2019-20 season, returns to the team amid a roster shake-up.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, he was a standout high school player at APEX Academy in Pennsauken, NJ, and was a four-star recruit ranked #29 nationally by Rivals. He committed to Kansas alongside his twin brother, Markieff, in November 2007. Morris had a successful college career, becoming a consensus first-team All-American in his junior year with averages of 17 points and 8 rebounds on 57% shooting. After Kansas’ Elite Eight exit, both Morris twins were drafted in the 2011 NBA Draft, with Markieff going 13th overall to Phoenix and Marcus 14th to Houston.
Marcus Morris Sr. spent significant time in Houston’s G-League, showcasing his scoring ability with 21 points per game in eleven rookie games. He struggled for consistent minutes in the NBA but showed potential, averaging 8.6 points per game in his sophomore season. Morris was traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he played alongside his brother and averaged 14 points and 4 rebounds over the next two seasons. He was later traded to Detroit, where his role as a primary scorer solidified.
Morris became known for his scoring prowess and versatility. After two seasons in Detroit, he was traded to the Boston Celtics, where he had a strong impact, including a notable playoff run in 2019 with averages of 14 points per game and impressive shooting percentages. In 2019, Morris signed a verbal agreement with the San Antonio Spurs but ultimately joined the Knicks on a one-year, $15 million deal, a move that significantly impacted the franchise.
.@nyknicks Sign Marcus Morris Sr. to an Exhibit 9 Contract pic.twitter.com/44hhwrfiPd
— NY_KnicksPR (@NY_KnicksPR) September 15, 2024
During his first stint with the Knicks, Morris made a memorable debut, including a 29-point performance against the Celtics and a game-winning three-pointer against the Mavericks. He played 43 games for the Knicks, averaging 19.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, and was a key figure in the team’s rotation. His trade to the Clippers in February 2020 was pivotal for the Knicks, leading to draft picks that became valuable assets, including Immanuel Quickley and Deuce McBride.
Morris continued his role as a key scorer for the Clippers and had stints with the 76ers and Cavaliers. He last played in the 2022-23 season and made an impact with a 40.3% shooting percentage from three-point range.
An Exhibit 9 contract means that Morris’s deal is not guaranteed but protected against injury. This contrasts with Chuma Okeke’s Exhibit 10 contract, which is not injury-protected. The Knicks still have an open roster spot, and Morris, along with Shamet and others, will compete for it. Morris could provide valuable depth and veteran leadership, especially given concerns about the health of players like Julius Randle and OG Anunoby.
With Morris’s return, the Knicks add experience and scoring potential, making the upcoming season even more intriguing. Welcome back, Mook!
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