Marc Stein: Both the Lakers and the Clippers are trying to sign Markieff Morris, league sources say. The free-agent Battle of LA has been a constant in this transactional frenzy. It’s clearly not over after Toronto signed Aron Baynes to replace Marc Gasol and fell as a viable Morris option
More on Markieff Morris Free Agency
Marc Stein: Toronto is still trying to keep Marc Gasol but has strong interest in Markieff Morris as well, league sources say. The Lakers, reported Friday by @NYTSports as a prime suitor for Gasol in response to Dwight Howard's exit, continue to push to lure the Spaniard away from Toronto.
Jason Dumas: Source: Markieff Morris is looking to join his brother, Marcus with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers are interested but taking their time. Lakers are still interested in bringing him back even with the signing of Montrezl Harrell.
Free-agent forward Markieff Morris is interested in re-signing with the Lakers, which would give them another versatile player. The Lakers also can improve their roster by using the veteran‘s minimum exception to sign an experienced player to a short, inexpensive deal, and by making trades. But the biggest order of business is to get Davis signed. Contracts can be signed starting at 9:01 a.m. PST Sunday.
The Lakers are interested in retaining free agents Dwight Howard and Markieff Morris after both had strong seasons and playoff outings.
“It has to be the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. And it’s more about getting their house in order,” Marks said on SportsCenter when asked what teams will be the most active in NBA free agency. “What I mean is you’ve the contract of Anthony Davis to work out. You’ve three free agents with players options particularly Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Rajon Rondo. And I think what the Lakers are going to have to do is make a decision between players like Rondo and Markieff Morris versus going out and using their mid-level exception.”
Adrian Wojnarowski: Marcus and Markieff Morris -- unrestricted free agent forwards -- have signed with agent @Chafie Fields of Wasserman, sources tell ESPN. Fields is one of the few agents representing both NFL and NBA clients.
Dave McMenamin: The Lakers make the Morris addition official. DeMarcus Cousins is waived to create the roster spot. pic.twitter.com/9KLvOPgr8t
Shams Charania: Markieff Morris plans to sign with Lakers, league sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
Brad Turner: Sources: Markieff Morris and Lakers are closing in on a deal for him to join the team. The Lakers will have to waive a player to sign Morris, who got a buyout from the Detroit Pistons.
Shams Charania: The Los Angeles Lakers have emerged as a frontrunner to sign Markieff Morris, league sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium. Toronto has also expressed interest in Morris.
JD Shaw: The Pistons make it official: Markieff Morris and the team have reached an agreement to buy out his contract.
Bobby Marks: Finances in Detroit after the Markieff Morris buyout/waiver: 🏀2019/20: $2,259,887 cap hit 🏀2020/21: $0 cap hit 🏀$36M in room for 2020 which includes a first-round pick and Christian Wood FA hold
Shams Charania: Pistons forward Markieff Morris has agreed to a contract buyout, league sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
James Edwards III: Per sources, the #Pistons and Markieff Morris are working toward a buyout.
Markieff Morris: 1 down 1 to go! #Badboyrecords
Rod Beard: Source confirms that Markieff Morris will get the bi-annual exception of about $3.6M. That's huge for #Pistons, who have done well to improve the roster on a tight budget.
Other free agents on the Knicks’ radar include their own free-agent center DeAndre Jordan, Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins and twins Markieff and Marcus Morris. New Orleans Pelicans forward Julius Randle and the Knicks also have mutual interest, according to sources.
Brett Dawson: Markieff Morris says he probably wouldn’t return to the Thunder to play the same minutes he played this season, but he’s very complimentary of the organization. Says the basketball didn’t work out for him but that organizationally this was the best stop of his career.
Markieff Morris, who had other interest after receiving a midseason buyout from New Orleans after a trade from the Wizards, signed with Oklahoma City because he considered it a strong fit. Marcus Morris also believed so at the time, but in retrospect wishes his brother had taken another opportunity. “I just wish he never went there,” Morris said, “because I know he could have helped another team get somewhere just by the effect he has on the court.”
After declaring he “hated” watching the Thunder, Morris emphasized he only watched the team because of his brother. “Hopefully next year he goes to a team that uses him a good way and loves him in a way,” Morris said, “and be able to help a team do whatever they’re going to do.”
The Oklahoma City Thunder has signed free agent forward Markieff Morris, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti.
Oklahoma City makes it official on the signing of Markieff Morris. The four-month investment will cost the Thunder $2.2M in combined salary and luxury tax costs. The forward will earn $573,295 with $427,288 being applied to the salary cap.
Brett Dawson: Paul George, without being asked about it, brought up that the Thunder are excited to add “a big piece” in Markieff Morris. So that, as first reported by @Shams Charania, seems pretty confirmed.
Shams Charania: Free agent Markieff Morris has agreed to sign with Oklahoma City, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
Shams Charania: Markieff Morris had an aggressive market over the past week — with pursuits from the Thunder, Rockets, Nets, Raptors and several others. OKC received the commitment from Morris on Thursday.
Chris Haynes: Sources: Add Toronto in this group.
Free-agent forward Markieff Morris has been cleared to play after recovering from a neck injury and has garnered interest from the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, told Yahoo Sports.
Morris, 29, is expected to pick his next team this week, sources said.
Chris Haynes: Free agent forward Markieff Morris visited Dr. Watkins today in Los Angeles regarding his neck and has been cleared to play, his agent Rich Paul tells Yahoo Sports.
So what are the Rockets looking for, and is Houston really a more attractive destination than other teams because of the free-flowing, all-systems-go basketball Coach Mike D’Antoni employs? “We’re having multiple conversations,” said Morey. “We have a couple players at the top of the list. Until they clear waivers, it’s not something we can talk about, but we think it’s gonna be good for us.” Markieff Morris ticks the obvious box here, for multiple reasons. The guy can ball. A 6-foot-10 forward with range could be used in any Rockets lineup. If D’Antoni wants to get really weird with it and go small ball, Morris as a stretch 5 could be deadly. Houston likes him, league sources say.
Also, the Lakers have interest in signing forward Markieff Morris if he is healthy, according to one person. The Lakers have a roster spot available after trading Zubac and Beasley. Morris was acquired by the Pelicans on Thursday from the Washington Wizards, but he was waived later that day. Morris, who is in the final year of a contract that pays him $8.6 million, still has to clear waivers.
Morris hasn’t played in a game since Dec. 26. He was diagnosed with transient cervical neuropraxia, a spinal injury, in January. His timeline for recovery was six weeks. Morris averaged 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds in 34 games for the Wizards. The Lakers will strongly consider adding him to the team for his scoring, defense and toughness if he is physically fit, one person said.
Jeff Zillgitt: Pelicans announce they have waived Markieff Morris, which adds another quality player to the post-trade deadline buyout market. Clippers among teams that had interest at the deadline.
Shams Charania: Sources: The New Orleans Pelicans are releasing forward Markieff Morris, who is currently dealing with an injury.
