The New York Knicks have added some extra roster depth to their team before the start of the new NBA season. New York has agreed to a one-year deal with veteran forward Marcus Morris.
Morris will be entering his 14th season in the NBA and will look to contribute to the Knicks’ chances to win a title. He has signed an Exhibit 9 contract with the Knicks for the season.
NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic broke the news of the signing on social media.
Free agent F Marcus Morris has agreed to a one-year deal with the New York Knicks, agent Yony Noy of LAA Partners tells @TheAthletic. Morris will have a chance to enter his 14th NBA season with the Eastern Conference contender. pic.twitter.com/Wz4jSrmbfE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 15, 2024
An Exhibit 9 contract has language in it that protects a team from a player getting hurt in the preseason. In the event that Morris did suffer an injury during the preseason, the Knicks would only be liable for $15,000, rather than having to cover the rest of his salary until he recovers.
We recently saw another player receive an Exhibit 9 contract from the Knicks. Veteran shooting guard Landry Shamet also signed a one-year deal with New York that had the same language in it.
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 16: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Marcus Morris #13 of the Detroit Pistons in action against Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2016 in New York City. Morris has returned to the Knicks.
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
The addition of Morris brings more veteran presence to the entire roster. He split playing time with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers last season, averaging 6.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game between the two teams.
Morris also shot 40.3 percent from beyond the 3-point line, giving the Knicks a potentially lethal knockdown shooter to help space the floor. He has become known for his toughness throughout the years and New York could benefit from his style of play.
The former Kansas product was with the Knicks for the first part of the 2019-20 NBA season before he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He became loved by the fanbase during his short time with the organization so his return would be a welcomed sight.
During his first go-around with New York, Morris averaged 19.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over 43 games. The veteran forward shot 43.9 percent from deep, his best shooting percentage beyond the arc of his career.
The Knicks will enter the NBA season as one of the favorites in the Eastern Conference. They have one of the deepest rosters in the entire league and are led by star point guard Jalen Brunson.
With Morris now in the mix, New York can feel even better about their chances for the year. They will be looking to take down the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics and get themselves to the NBA Finals for the first time since the 1999-2000 season.
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