Zach Lowe on Markieff Morris

[Forza Juventus]

Lots of power forwards can do two of these three things on offense: post up (particularly against switches and small-ball mismatches), shoot 3s, and make productive passes off the dribble. Very few can do all three, and those who can are lethal. They can play in any lineup and help against any opponent.

Morris can already post and pass (“He’s an excellent passer,” Hornacek says), and he hit 31.8 percent from deep last season — just 3 percentage points below the league average. That’s not good enough to scare defenses, and the Suns hoped Morris would have made more progress by now. “We thought he’d be a little better,” Hornacek says. “If he’s right around 30 percent, that’s probably not conducive to him shooting a lot of 3s.”

Morris could transform himself into a really good player for the modern, pace-and-space, switch-everything NBA, and he’s just starting a four-year, $32 million contract. In a league where contracts are short and starters will soon be earning almost $15 million on average, that deal is like gold bullion. There is not much risk in trumping a tepid trade market to take a shot on Morris.

We all know the obvious suspects by now. Toronto and Boston have so-so starting power forwards and extra picks, but I’m not sure either sees Morris as an upgrade. And not even Boston, hoarding so many picks in every draft range, is coughing up a first-rounder for Morris right now

.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-curious-case-of-markieff-morris/

I thought this article was very interesting. I think we should offer Evan Turner, Perry Jones III and the Minnesotta pick(s). We could wait a little while to make sure it is 2 2nd round picks. We traded Marcus Thornton and a Cleveland 1st round pick for Isaiah Thomas and he is better than Markieff Morris so I think that offer is fair.

[saltlover]

I'm in general non-plussed by Morris.  But I will point out that we can't wait a little to see about Minny's pick and make your proposed offer, since Jones is otherwise likely to be cut before the season.

[More Banners]

Must admit I haven't seen him play.

Is he really better than who we have now, e.g. Sullinger?

[BudweiserCeltic]

No interest in Morris.

[Forza Juventus]

I'm in general non-plussed by Morris.  But I will point out that we can't wait a little to see about Minny's pick and make your proposed offer, since Jones is otherwise likely to be cut before the season.

Oh good point. I'd offer 2-3 2nd round picks then, the Philly 2nd and their choice of which other ones. If they decline that then I'd probably just offer the Minnesota pick(s). Idk I would not want to offer Brooklyn picks or the Dallas 1st round pick or even the Memphis 1st round pick. Those have potential to be lottery picks and so do our own picks. The Minnesotta one(s) will be either middle of the draft or 2 2nd round picks. Considering we traded a likely late 1st for Isaiah I think a mid 1st for Markieff is too much. We could also potentially trade Sullinger or Olynyk as the main piece but I'm not sure Markieff would be an upgrade, we would have to wait until the deadline to know better.

[bello_man09]

I think he's the better one..I get them confused most of the time. he plays in the post more while his brother is more of  SF..who shoots from the outside. he's not better than sully..I watched these highlights on sully and the kid can play there are some flaws in his game but sully his extremely versatile.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToHTKHjn2DU

[Forza Juventus]

I think he's the better one..I get them confused most of the time. he plays in the post more while his brother is more of  SF..who shoots from the outside. he's not better than sully..I watched these highlights on sully and the kid can play there are some flaws in his game but sully his extremely versatile.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToHTKHjn2DU

Yeah I like Sully especially since he's going to be in better shape. I think he will surprise a lot of people this year. Which is why I'd prefer to trade Turner, Perry Jones III and some sort of combination of picks. Markieff would replace Turner in the rotation and would be a swing.

[PhoSita]

I thought this article was very interesting. I think we should offer Evan Turner, Perry Jones III and the Minnesotta pick(s). We could wait a little while to make sure it is 2 2nd round picks. We traded Marcus Thornton and a Cleveland 1st round pick for Isaiah Thomas and he is better than Markieff Morris so I think that offer is fair.

Agreed, I'd be all over that offer.


I've made the argument at length previously, but in short, I think he's a better long term bet than Sullinger.  Ceiling not as high, but his contract is great and I think he's sort of a more talented version of Jonas Jerebko.  In other words, a great fit for Stevens' system.

I don't really care about the intangibles stuff.

I think the goal for the Celts should be to get a four big rotation of guys who can do all the things Lowe mentioned -- shoot the three, pass out of a dribble-drive, and post-up smaller guys on a switch.

[nickagneta]

I thought this article was very interesting. I think we should offer Evan Turner, Perry Jones III and the Minnesotta pick(s). We could wait a little while to make sure it is 2 2nd round picks. We traded Marcus Thornton and a Cleveland 1st round pick for Isaiah Thomas and he is better than Markieff Morris so I think that offer is fair.

Agreed, I'd be all over that offer.


I've made the argument at length previously, but in short, I think he's a better long term bet than Sullinger.  Ceiling not as high, but his contract is great and I think he's sort of a more talented version of Jonas Jerebko.  In other words, a great fit for Stevens' system.

I don't really care about the intangibles stuff.

I think the goal for the Celts should be to get a four big rotation of guys who can do all the things Lowe mentioned -- shoot the three, pass out of a dribble-drive, and post-up smaller guys on a switch.

Markieff Morris doesn't just post up players smaller than him. He is one of the best post up down low players in the league against guys of any size.

[Celtics4ever]

I've made the argument at length previously, but in short, I think he's a better long term bet than Sullinger.  Ceiling not as high,

So far that ceiling has been pretty low in areas besides rebounding.

I wonder if he would do better in the East, out there he is playing vs. tough matchups every night.   Would he be more productive?

[jayk009]

he's a solid player..I'd say pretty underrated defensively...and a good pick and pop player offensively...not a soft player...but what we see of him now is pretty much what he'll be for the rest of his career.

[hwangjini_1]

here. save time and roll this thread into this past morris thread.

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=80269.135

[Big333223]

I'm not convinced he's better than Sullinger and he's got some serious baggage. With all the PF's we have, I wouldn't chase him. As it is, we have to get rid of someone just to get the roster down to size. I don't see a ton of upside in trading something for him.

[Eja117]

He may be a "good deal" but he strikes me as a me first type guy and very against the environment Stevens is building here.

[spikelovetheCelts]

He may be a "good deal" but he strikes me as a me first type guy and very against the environment Stevens is building here.

Nail Hammered. (TP)