With the Knicks seemingly lottery-bound again, Marcus Morris‘ name has begun to emerge in trade rumors. The veteran forward is on a one-year contract, and the club figures to gauge his value on the market. However, Morris himself doesn’t sound enthusiastic about the idea of being dealt, as Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News details.
“I love being in New York,” Morris said. “Win, lose or draw, I’m here to try to help turn this thing around. You know, I’m not really looking to get traded. That’s just my personal opinion. That’s my approach. But this is the NBA.”
Morris acknowledged that he’s “aware” of the possibility he could be traded. Of the Knicks’ veterans, he’s probably the most valuable, especially given how he has played so far this season, with a team-high 19.0 PPG and .489 3PT% through 23 games. He has also been a locker room leader in New York, and while his individual production hasn’t translated into team success so far, he’d like more of an opportunity to change that.
“I’d rather help turn this thing around,” Morris said. “‘Melo (Carmelo Anthony) said it best. Some guys are not built for New York. I’m built for New York. I’d rather be here and I’d rather help and I’d rather anchor it.”
Morris, who becomes eligible to be traded this Sunday, reneged on a free agent agreement with the Spurs this past summer to join the Knicks. According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, sources believe Morris’ desire to be close to his North Philly roots played a part in that decision, so it makes some sense that he’d want to remain in New York, even with the team struggling.
Still, it’s not as if Morris has any sort of no-trade clause that would stop the Knicks from shopping or moving him. One executive who spoke to Bondy predicted the club could net a protected first-round pick or two second-rounders for Morris, and Ian Begley of SNY.tv heard from three teams that believe a first-rounder is a realistic ask for Morris.
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Don’t trade him to the SASpurs … we don’t want him
That would be very funny if it happened though. Especially if he were traded for Trey Lyles.
Draft picks are more valuable than the clowns the Knicks have. Everyone except Barrett and Robinson obviously.
That is an insult to clowns! They are ”professionals” who work hard and provide a valuable entertainment service. Can you say that about Knicks players? Ahhhh….No
Protected First Rounder ??? Ian Begely says ”heard from three teams that ”believe” a first rounder is realistic to ask” Notice that nobody says ”I will give you a protected first rounder” You can ask for the Sun, Moon & Stars, doesn’t mean you’ll get it. The ”disinformation” info wars are starting up. He will be traded if the Knicks have even half of a clue which is doubtful but it won’t be for a first rounder unless somebody gets hurt…… A decent 2nd would be good value, run with that.
I say take any picks you can get. I think that part of the reason that the Knicks signed a million veterans to essentially 1 year deals was because, they could then do both, flip them at the deadline for extra picks, as well as clear cap space again. Infuse the team with a bunch of young drafted talent and still hold out hope to get a major free agent