The New York Knicks have made it clear that they intend to keep Marcus Morris despite all the NBA trade chatter going on. However, if any team can offer them, someone, a good deal that includes a star-caliber player, team officials are ready to listen.
Until some NBA team does that, dealing with Morris may be a waste of time. The Knicks seem determined to keep the 30-year-old big man and make him a key piece of their rebuilding efforts, Yahoo Sports reported. Also, Morris made it clear that he is also happy with his current ballclub and would rather stay there. But there is something that critics feel would be off - the fact that the 6-foot-8 contract will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
For this season, Morris is set to make $15 million with the Knicks. Also, most know for a fact that the 14th overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft has been known to be fickle-minded whenever it is time to talk about new deals. He turned his back on the San Antonio Spurs who offered him a two-year deal worth $20 million. Now that he is seen as a key piece of the Knicks future, he could be offered more than his current deal and probably longer.
"I enjoy this organization. I enjoy the players they got here, and I want to be here long term," said Morris.
Of course, that decision to spurn the Spurs and join the Knicks could have convinced New York that Morris truly wants to be in Gotham. And if any team is truly interested in getting him, only a star-type player will do, the New York Post reported.
Instead, the Knicks are ready to trade away other players. Among the names who have been mentioned as being on the block are Taj Gibson, Dennis Smith Jr., and Bobby Portis. With an 11-30 win-loss record over in the Eastern Conference, New York is well on its way to another disappointing NBA season.
It was a turbulent start for the Knicks, who initially had David Fizdale at the helm. With things not working out, Mike Miller took over from Fizdale on an interim basis. In shambles, New York found itself rebuilding once more with some roster shakeups looming over the horizon.
The NBA trade deadline happens on Feb. 6 with some players possibly moving out. New York could take in more future picks or players on expiring deal as they reboot once more and hopefully do better in the 2020-21 season.
