Marcus Morris unsure of how he fits

[BackDoorCut]

https://nesn.com/2018/05/marcus-morris-unsure-about-how-he-fits-with-celtics-for-2018-19-season/

Something I had hoped we would not have run into so early in this potential generation of celtics teams. It seems as though Morris may not have been so happy with his role this season. It appears as though he may have the disease of more. Going into a contract year next year.

Sidenote: First topic I've started and didn't see it so hopefully  get some good discussion pieces on this.

[gouki88]

Sadly it is quite a valid concern. I just spent 5-10 minutes messing about trying to come up with a vague 12-13 man rotation, and it is darn hard.

On the one hand, he put up his best scoring and rebounding per minute season to date, and he's on a bargain contract, all the while (from what he's said) loving it in Boston.

On the other hand, Hayward is significantly better than him, and Tatum likely will be next year too. Hayward, Tatum and Brown will all be playing above 30 minutes (maybe not initially for GH), as will Kyrie and most likely Al.

A lot with Morris I think depends on whether Smart comes back or not (or Terry). If we lose one, or both, of those guys, then Brad's ability to play those 3 guard lineups he likes sometimes goes out the window basically. That would open up more minutes for Morris, but I'm not sure if he has a place here sadly. Could see him packaged with Terry & picks for something, but I don't know

[pokeKingCurtis]

Sadly it is quite a valid concern. I just spent 5-10 minutes messing about trying to come up with a vague 12-13 man rotation, and it is darn hard.

On the one hand, he put up his best scoring and rebounding per minute season to date, and he's on a bargain contract, all the while (from what he's said) loving it in Boston.

On the other hand, Hayward is significantly better than him, and Tatum likely will be next year too. Hayward, Tatum and Brown will all be playing above 30 minutes (maybe not initially for GH), as will Kyrie and most likely Al.

A lot with Morris I think depends on whether Smart comes back or not (or Terry). If we lose one, or both, of those guys, then Brad's ability to play those 3 guard lineups he likes sometimes goes out the window basically. That would open up more minutes for Morris, but I'm not sure if he has a place here sadly. Could see him packaged with Terry & picks for something, but I don't know

I'm all for keeping Smart over Rozier. Morris could soak up Rozier, Thies and Larkin's (wouldn't need playmakers with Kyrie and Hayward always being on the floor) minutes - could we squeeze 15 minutes for him that way?

The switchability of this team would be so nuts.

[BitterJim]

Sadly it is quite a valid concern. I just spent 5-10 minutes messing about trying to come up with a vague 12-13 man rotation, and it is darn hard.

On the one hand, he put up his best scoring and rebounding per minute season to date, and he's on a bargain contract, all the while (from what he's said) loving it in Boston.

On the other hand, Hayward is significantly better than him, and Tatum likely will be next year too. Hayward, Tatum and Brown will all be playing above 30 minutes (maybe not initially for GH), as will Kyrie and most likely Al.

A lot with Morris I think depends on whether Smart comes back or not (or Terry). If we lose one, or both, of those guys, then Brad's ability to play those 3 guard lineups he likes sometimes goes out the window basically. That would open up more minutes for Morris, but I'm not sure if he has a place here sadly. Could see him packaged with Terry & picks for something, but I don't know

I'm all for keeping Smart over Rozier. Morris could soak up Rozier, Thies and Larkin's (wouldn't need playmakers with Kyrie and Hayward always being on the floor) minutes - could we squeeze 15 minutes for him that way?

The switchability of this team would be so nuts.

It'd be better to get rid of Morris than Rozier. If you trade Rozier and Smart or Irving get injured, you're stuck playing someone like Larkin or Jabari Bird significant minutes (like 16mpg) at PG.

Morris is a very good player on a great contract, but with Jaylen and Jayson showing they're ready, and Hayward coming back, there isn't really room for him

[gouki88]

Sadly it is quite a valid concern. I just spent 5-10 minutes messing about trying to come up with a vague 12-13 man rotation, and it is darn hard.

On the one hand, he put up his best scoring and rebounding per minute season to date, and he's on a bargain contract, all the while (from what he's said) loving it in Boston.

On the other hand, Hayward is significantly better than him, and Tatum likely will be next year too. Hayward, Tatum and Brown will all be playing above 30 minutes (maybe not initially for GH), as will Kyrie and most likely Al.

A lot with Morris I think depends on whether Smart comes back or not (or Terry). If we lose one, or both, of those guys, then Brad's ability to play those 3 guard lineups he likes sometimes goes out the window basically. That would open up more minutes for Morris, but I'm not sure if he has a place here sadly. Could see him packaged with Terry & picks for something, but I don't know

I'm all for keeping Smart over Rozier. Morris could soak up Rozier, Thies and Larkin's (wouldn't need playmakers with Kyrie and Hayward always being on the floor) minutes - could we squeeze 15 minutes for him that way?

The switchability of this team would be so nuts.

It'd be better to get rid of Morris than Rozier. If you trade Rozier and Smart or Irving get injured, you're stuck playing someone like Larkin or Jabari Bird significant minutes (like 16mpg) at PG.

Morris is a very good player on a great contract, but with Jaylen and Jayson showing they're ready, and Hayward coming back, there isn't really room for him

I tend to agree with this, but there's also the fact that Terry's value (with us) will likely never be higher than it is now. It's definitely a good problem to have, and I'm glad it's DA who is making the decision here.

I hope we keep Jabari Bird long-term though.

[Csfan1984]

Morris probably still wants a shot at being a starter some where. Same goes for Smart, Rozier and Baynes. Hopefully DA can make everyone happy and the team still benefits.

[CelticsElite]

Send him to some bottom dweller like the suns if he's so unhappy here

How is he unsure of his role? He played his role well the entire year. It'll be the same role. He didn't start a lot but he played starter minutes. There isn't a big difference

[gouki88]

Send him to some bottom dweller like the suns if he's so unhappy here

How is he unsure of his role? He played his role well the entire year. It'll be the same role

He explicitly says this has been his favourite place to play in his career. I hardly think he's being unhappy.

And he's probably unsure because we have an All-Star wing returning from injury, who places the same position as Morris, as well as two budding stars also on the wing. It'll be hard for him to get 15mpg, let alone 25

[Billz401]

I dont see why hes so unsure. He would be the first forward off the bench(if we are starting brown, Hayward, tatum) as well as our stretch pf which he played so well throughout the season. And say Hayward isn't ready by season opener or at least not ready for starter minutes, he would be looking at starter pf in small ball lineup or first off the bench for horford. Hes a pretty good 6th man who can create his own shot.

Kyrie/rozier
Brown/smart
Tatum/hayward
Horford/morris
Baynes/theis
Or
Kyrie/rozier
Brown/smart
Hayward/morris
Tatum/theis
Horford/baynes

[Green-18]

Send him to some bottom dweller like the suns if he's so unhappy here

How is he unsure of his role? He played his role well the entire year. It'll be the same role

He explicitly says this has been his favourite place to play in his career. I hardly think he's being unhappy.

And he's probably unsure because we have an All-Star wing returning from injury, who places the same position as Morris, as well as two budding stars also on the wing. It'll be hard for him to get 15mpg, let alone 25

It will be interesting to see if Brad can sell the team on playing a deep rotation throughout the regular season.  Morris can still fit if Jaylen, Tatum, Hayward, and Kyrie all play roughly 30 MPG.  Smart would also need to see a dip of 2-3 MPG.  This team should be able to play with excellent pace at full strength.  I expect a major rise in volume and efficiency. 

Danny and Brad will definitely have some sort of discussion with Morris about ideas for his role next season.  I'm sure Morris is concerned about his contract year but does he really have a great chance of landing a payday by playing bigger minutes on a mediocre team?  Most teams love to use analytics against players like Morris during contract negotiations.  An increase in volume wont help him much unless he can contribute in the playoffs with a new team.   

Assuming we run it back, what are your thoughts on this regular season rotation when we are at full strength?  Let's also remember that rest and injuries will be a factor.  I certainly don't expect Kyrie to play any more than 70 games.

STARTERS
Kyrie - 30 MPG
Jaylen - 30 MPG
Hayward - 30 MPG
Tatum - 30 MPG
Horford -  28 MPG (anticipating enough comfortable wins for us to scale back his regular season minutes)

BENCH
Smart - 26 MPG
Rozier - 23 MPG
Morris - 23 MPG
Theis/Baynes - 20 MPG (assuming we retain Baynes at MLE, which might not happen).

I think Horford is the guy who might allow this entire thing to work during the course of an 82 game season.  It wouldn't surprise me to see him scale back his minutes into the low 20's during blowouts.  This would open up some additional minutes for Baynes, Theis, and Morris.
   

[dreamgreen]

I thought he fit in well but at times it was clear he wants to be a starter but hell I want a billion dollars and a super model girlfriend. Don't always get what you want!

[gouki88]

Send him to some bottom dweller like the suns if he's so unhappy here

How is he unsure of his role? He played his role well the entire year. It'll be the same role

He explicitly says this has been his favourite place to play in his career. I hardly think he's being unhappy.

And he's probably unsure because we have an All-Star wing returning from injury, who places the same position as Morris, as well as two budding stars also on the wing. It'll be hard for him to get 15mpg, let alone 25

It will be interesting to see if Brad can sell the team on playing a deep rotation throughout the regular season.  Morris can still fit if Jaylen, Tatum, Hayward, and Kyrie all play roughly 30 MPG.  Smart would also need to see a dip of 2-3 MPG.  This team should be able to play with excellent pace at full strength.  I expect a major rise in volume and efficiency. 

Danny and Brad will definitely have some sort of discussion with Morris about ideas for his role next season.  I'm sure Morris is concerned about his contract year but does he really have a great chance of landing a payday by playing bigger minutes on a mediocre team?  Most teams love to use analytics against players like Morris during contract negotiations.  An increase in volume wont help him much unless he can contribute in the playoffs with a new team.   

Assuming we run it back, what are your thoughts on this regular season rotation when we are at full strength?  Let's also remember that rest and injuries will be a factor.  I certainly don't expect Kyrie to play any more than 70 games.

STARTERS
Kyrie - 30 MPG
Jaylen - 30 MPG
Hayward - 30 MPG
Tatum - 30 MPG
Horford -  28 MPG (anticipating enough comfortable wins for us to scale back his regular season minutes)

BENCH
Smart - 26 MPG
Rozier - 23 MPG
Morris - 23 MPG
Theis/Baynes - 20 MPG (assuming we retain Baynes at MLE, which might not happen).

I think Horford is the guy who might allow this entire thing to work during the course of an 82 game season.  It wouldn't surprise me to see him scale back his minutes into the low 20's during blowouts.  This would open up some additional minutes for Baynes, Theis, and Morris.
   

I'd be perfectly happy with a rotation in that ballpark. In fact, I think that could definitely contend for a title, and should be the favourite to come out of the East.

I think keeping Baynes will be crucial. I reckon if he can give us those 15-18mpg of value would be awesome (even though we were 20-4 when he played 22+ minutes )

I hope we run it back next year and go all out, assuming Smart stays. If he gets a decent offer, then that throws a spanner in the works

[Tr1boy]

Wants to be a starter and wants a raise for his next contract

Bottom line

I dont think he cares if he is traded

[ETNCeltics]

You can't keep good backups forever. They want to get paid and teams with soon to be 3 max players can't pay backups $10+ million per year. MM is gone after next year. Because he'll be a UFA, he doesn't have a ton of trade value for us, so he'll play out next season and then almost certainly be gone. It's the way of the world with the way the cap is.

[BitterJim]

Send him to some bottom dweller like the suns if he's so unhappy here

How is he unsure of his role? He played his role well the entire year. It'll be the same role

He explicitly says this has been his favourite place to play in his career. I hardly think he's being unhappy.

And he's probably unsure because we have an All-Star wing returning from injury, who places the same position as Morris, as well as two budding stars also on the wing. It'll be hard for him to get 15mpg, let alone 25

It will be interesting to see if Brad can sell the team on playing a deep rotation throughout the regular season.  Morris can still fit if Jaylen, Tatum, Hayward, and Kyrie all play roughly 30 MPG.  Smart would also need to see a dip of 2-3 MPG.  This team should be able to play with excellent pace at full strength.  I expect a major rise in volume and efficiency. 

Danny and Brad will definitely have some sort of discussion with Morris about ideas for his role next season.  I'm sure Morris is concerned about his contract year but does he really have a great chance of landing a payday by playing bigger minutes on a mediocre team?  Most teams love to use analytics against players like Morris during contract negotiations.  An increase in volume wont help him much unless he can contribute in the playoffs with a new team.   

Assuming we run it back, what are your thoughts on this regular season rotation when we are at full strength?  Let's also remember that rest and injuries will be a factor.  I certainly don't expect Kyrie to play any more than 70 games.

STARTERS
Kyrie - 30 MPG
Jaylen - 30 MPG
Hayward - 30 MPG
Tatum - 30 MPG
Horford -  28 MPG (anticipating enough comfortable wins for us to scale back his regular season minutes)

BENCH
Smart - 26 MPG
Rozier - 23 MPG
Morris - 23 MPG
Theis/Baynes - 20 MPG (assuming we retain Baynes at MLE, which might not happen).

I think Horford is the guy who might allow this entire thing to work during the course of an 82 game season.  It wouldn't surprise me to see him scale back his minutes into the low 20's during blowouts.  This would open up some additional minutes for Baynes, Theis, and Morris.
   

I think this would actually be worse for Horford. That lineup has him playing all of his minutes at Center (unless we play some time with no bigs on the court, which would be a disaster). I'm sure Horford could handle it, but I don't think we want him playing all his minutes at C for the entire season (nor do I think he wants to)