The Brooklyn Nets and one-time NBA champion Markieff Morris have reportedly agreed on a one-year deal.
The Athletic first reported the deal.
Morris, a 34.1-percent career three-point shooter, will bring not only perimeter shooting but more importantly, toughness and veteran leadership to a team with championship hopes.
The 32-year-old bruiser won a title alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis with the Los Angeles Lakers in the Orlando Bubble in 2020.
After two seasons with the Lakers, Morris moved to Miami where he was slowed down by a neck injury that stem from an altercation with Nikola Jokic which also cost him a $50,000 fine. He averaged 7.6 points and shot 33 percent from the three-point range in 17 games with the Heat.
Morris’ signing pending physical exam completes Brooklyn’s 15-man active roster on standard contracts, eliminating the chances of Tristan Thompson coming on board ahead of the training camp.
Undrafted rookie Alondes Williams occupies one of the Nets’ two-way player slots. They can still bring four more players to the training camp — three Exhibit 10 contracts and one more two-way deal.
David Duke, Jr., who was initially looking for a standard deal, will have to settle with another two-way deal.
Nets GM Sean Marks has focused on shoring up the Nets’ defense and perimeter shooting after getting swept in the first round last season. Morris joins Royce O’Neale, TJ Warren, Edmond Sumner and Yuta Watanabe as the Nets’ offseason additions.
If healthy, Morris will likely play a huge role off the bench in the thin Nets frontline rotation of Nic Claxton and Day’Ron Sharpe. The Nets are also reportedly looking at using Ben Simmons as center.
Morris, an 11-year NBA veteran, is viewed not only as a depth piece but a valuable locker room guy who will command the respect of the franchise’s cornerstones Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
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