Another Reinforcement for the Knicks! At 35, Does Marcus Morris Sr. Still Have Gas in the Tank?

The New York Knicks are continuing their aggressive offseason strategy with another veteran addition. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Knicks have signed free agent Marcus Morris Sr. to a one-year contract. The contract, as later clarified by the Knicks themselves, is a minimum deal with an Exhibit 9 clause. This move comes just one day after the Knicks signed Landry Shamet to a similar non-guaranteed contract with the same Exhibit 9 provision.

For those unfamiliar with the Exhibit 9 clause, it’s designed to protect teams from financial risk while giving them the flexibility to acquire more players. Under NBA rules, if a player with a standard non-guaranteed contract gets injured, the team is responsible for fully guaranteeing the player’s salary for the duration of the season. However, under an Exhibit 9 contract, if the player gets hurt, the team can waive him by paying just $6,000, with no salary cap implications. This type of contract allows the Knicks to reduce the financial risk tied to signing older or injury-prone veterans like Morris.

Marcus Morris Sr.: A Familiar Face for the Knicks

This signing marks a return to familiar territory for Morris. Back in the summer of 2019, he signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Knicks. At the time, New York was in a state of flux, struggling to find a competitive identity. Morris, however, became a standout performer, putting up career-high numbers. He averaged 19.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game while shooting an impressive 43.9% from three-point range. His performances were so strong that at the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Clippers traded a first-round pick and a protected swap option to acquire him.

Morris then spent three and a half seasons with the Clippers, where he played a key role as a forward alongside superstars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. When Leonard went down with injuries, Morris stepped up, posting averages of 15.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 36.7% from beyond the arc. Even in the 2022-2023 season, despite a diminishing role, he still averaged 11.2 points per game for the Clippers.

However, the following season brought significant changes for the Clippers. The arrival of James Harden saw Morris included in a trade package sent to the Philadelphia 76ers. Many expected Morris to find a role alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in Philly, but after just 37 games, he was traded again, this time to the San Antonio Spurs. Following a buyout with the Spurs, Morris joined the Cleveland Cavaliers on a minimum deal and contributed solidly during the team's playoff run.

Morris’s Role in Cleveland: A Glimpse of What’s Left in the Tank?

Though his tenure with the Cavaliers was brief, Morris still showed flashes of his offensive capabilities. In 12 regular-season games, Morris averaged 5.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in just 15 minutes of play per game, shooting 41.4% from three-point range. In the playoffs, he contributed similarly, with 6.1 points and 2.8 rebounds over 9 games, shooting 39.1% from deep.

In Game 5 of the Cavaliers’ second-round series against the Boston Celtics, Morris delivered a vintage performance. He went 10-for-13 from the field and 5-for-6 from three-point range, scoring 25 points with 3 rebounds and 2 steals. Though Cleveland ultimately lost the series, Morris outplayed some of his younger teammates and showed that he still had gas left in the tank.

At 35 years old, Morris’s defensive skills have noticeably declined, which is one reason why the Clippers were willing to move on from him. However, his offensive ability, particularly his three-point shooting, remains a valuable asset. Over the past four seasons, Morris has shot 40.3%, 36.5%, 36.7%, and 47.3% from three, respectively. His career average stands at 37.7%, making him a proven stretch forward who can still space the floor for a contending team. Given these numbers, it’s clear why the Knicks would take a chance on him as a potential rotation player.

The Knicks’ Offseason Strategy: Big Moves for Bigger Goals

Morris’s signing is just one piece of what has been an aggressive offseason for the Knicks, as they aim to build a roster capable of contending for an NBA championship. The team has been making major moves, locking in key players and acquiring new talent. Here’s a rundown of the Knicks’ notable offseason activity:

1. OG Anunoby Extension: The Knicks secured a five-year, $212.5 million extension for forward OG Anunoby, further solidifying their defensive core and adding another versatile wing to their roster.

2. Jalen Brunson Extension: Brunson, the team’s emerging star, signed a four-year, $156.5 million extension, ensuring the Knicks have their point guard of the future locked in.

3. Blockbuster Trade for Mikal Bridges: The Knicks sent Bojan Bogdanovic and five first-round picks to acquire Mikal Bridges and Keita Bates-Diop from the Brooklyn Nets. Bridges is coming off a breakout season, and his addition strengthens New York’s perimeter defense and scoring depth.

4. Tom Thibodeau Extension: The Knicks also secured their head coach for the long term, signing Tom Thibodeau to a three-year extension.

5. Cameron Payne Signing: The team brought in veteran point guard Cameron Payne on a one-year minimum contract, adding backcourt depth.

6. Landry Shamet Signing: Like Morris, Shamet was signed to a one-year, non-guaranteed deal with an Exhibit 9 clause.

With these moves, the Knicks have built a roster that combines experienced veterans with young, ascending talent. Their projected starting lineup — Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, and Mitchell Robinson — is formidable. The bench, featuring players like Josh Hart, Donte DiVincenzo, Landry Shamet, and now Morris, has enough firepower to compete with any team in the Eastern Conference.

How Does Morris Fit in?

After signing Morris, Knicks insider Ian Begley reported that the team views him as a stretch forward capable of making the final roster for the upcoming season. Despite signing a non-guaranteed contract, Morris’s skill set is one the Knicks are hoping to utilize, particularly his three-point shooting and offensive versatility. At this stage in his career, Morris isn’t expected to be a lockdown defender, but his floor-spacing ability will allow players like Brunson and Bridges to operate more freely on offense.

Morris will also bring veteran leadership to the locker room, something that could be invaluable as the Knicks prepare for a deep playoff run. His playoff experience with the Clippers and Cavaliers could prove critical in high-pressure moments, especially given the heightened expectations surrounding the team.

Can the Knicks Compete in the East?

The Knicks are clearly setting their sights on a deep playoff run, if not a championship. But the road to the NBA Finals won’t be easy. Their biggest competition in the Eastern Conference remains the defending champion Boston Celtics, who continue to field a dominant roster. The Philadelphia 76ers, now boasting Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George, are another formidable opponent. And of course, the Milwaukee Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard, and Khris Middleton, will also be major contenders.

Other teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers, led by rising stars Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Tyrese Haliburton, and Pascal Siakam, will also pose significant challenges.

Last season, despite battling injuries and missing key players, the Knicks made it to the second round of the playoffs, where they pushed the Indiana Pacers to seven games. With a healthier roster and their new additions, the Knicks are poised to be even stronger in the upcoming season.