FEBRUARY 8: The Pistons have officially traded Morris to Minnesota in exchange for Milton, Brown, and the Timberwolves’ 2030 second-round pick, according to announcements from both teams.
Danilo Gallinari was waived by Detroit to complete the transaction.
FEBRUARY 7: The Timberwolves and Pistons are finalizing a trade that will send point guard Monte Morris to Minnesota, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
According to Charania (Twitter link), Detroit will receive Shake Milton, Troy Brown, and a second-round pick in the swap. The pick will be Minnesota’s own 2030 second-rounder, per Chris Hine of The Star Tribune (Twitter link).
Morris was traded from Washington to Detroit during the 2023 offseason in exchange for a future second-round selection, but battled back and quad injuries that delayed his Pistons debut until late January. He has appeared in just six games so far this season and has made a limited impact, averaging 4.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 11.3 minutes per contest, with a shooting line of .364/.182/.500.
However, Morris has a solid track record, having averaged 10.5 PPG, 4.0 APG, and 2.5 RPG on .480/.392/.829 shooting in 339 games across five seasons for the Nuggets and Wizards from 2018-23. He was a key contributor for many years in Denver under current Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly.
The Wolves had been in the market for a ball-handler who could back up starter Mike Conley. Jordan McLaughlin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Kyle Anderson have all gotten some reps in that role, but Morris is a more reliable option as a backup point guard, assuming he stays healthy and rounds into his usual form.
Morris is on an expiring $9.8MM contract and will become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he doesn’t sign an extension before then. As cap expert Yossi Gozlan observes (via Twitter), the 28-year-old will remain eligible until June 30 to sign an extension of up to two years, but Minnesota already projects to be well into tax territory next season, so it’s possible he’ll end up being a rental.
The Wolves will remain about $1.6MM below the luxury tax line after the trade and will have a pair of open spots on their 15-man roster, Gozlan adds (via Twitter). They’ll also be able to create a $4MM trade exception in the deal.
By acquiring a second-round pick for Morris, the Pistons will recoup the price they initially paid for him and won’t impact their projected summer cap room. Milton is earning $5MM this season while Brown is making $4MM, and both players have identical non-guaranteed cap hits for next season.
Assuming the Pistons hang onto both Milton and Brown for the rest of the season, they’ll have to decide by the end of June whether they want to guarantee either player’s 2024/25 salary.
Detroit will have to trade or waive a player to complete the deal, since the club currently has a full 15-man roster.
Why for Minnesota?
Milton has not been good + they don’t have a starting PG if Conley leaves in UFA
Morris is a UFA…
I like it if that’s all we gave up. Would love to get another shooter in the buyout market
So who does Detroit cut?
Wiseman
They’re finding a trade for someone else (which is why they are “finalizing”)
There’s plenty SF’s now in roster.. Bojan to Sixers
Finding a trade partner for Killian Hayes probably for future second round picks.
If Morris plays like he did in prior years, this solidifies the backup PG spot. I like the little guy, but its getting toward playoff time, which is about 2 way players.
Detroit is doing it’s best to be somewhat relevant to a G league team.
Zero direction by Troy Weaver. SMH
Are the Pistons going for the record?They won’t miss Morris because they weren’t using him. That said he was effective in the past and could have given the club some help if he had stayed. Brown and Milton were having terrible years but have been solid rotation players for years. Doesn’t matter they are basically flotsam. Both can probably improve but the Pistons are probably in no position to be patient while these guys work things out.
It’s weird because many assumed Hayes was going to be traded, so do the Pistons intend to trade both he and Morris? Who is going to backup Cade? Pistons may have a crazy game of musical chairs lined up.
Better have Killian than Morris in street clothes
Don’t the Pistons still have Jaden I’ve. Or for that matter Ausar Thompson. Besides I don’t think Hayes has any takers out there.
I meant Jaden Ivey.
Pistons again?
All of these peanut trades have been insane.
I’d suggest that Lakers trade away Scottie Pippen Jr. for top-58 protected pick.
Pippen Jr is with Memphis now.
And he’s good
Is he though??
Two bad trades by Detroit already. Reminds me of some 70s trades, lets trade players to just trade players. Should not of made the Jazz trade or this one. Just trade Wiseman, Hayes and Bojan. Livers misses the Pistons
Hayes and Wiseman to Memphis for Luke Kennard, Jake L and GG Jackson
Ummm, did this trade become official?