The Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns are adding veteran players to provide leadership and depth as both teams look to make a run at the playoffs. Also, Donovan Mitchell suffered a worrying setback.
NBA Rumors: Marcus Morris, Isaiah Thomas, Donovan Mitchell and Anthony Davis, and more
Cavs Ink Marcus Morris
Cleveland Cavaliers sign Marcus Morris to a 10-day contract, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Charania added that Morris is expected to join the Cavs on Monday in time for their game.
Free agent Marcus Morris agreed to 10-day contract with Cleveland Cavaliers, sources say @TheAthletic @Stadium. Morris is expected to be available for the Cavs’ game against the Pacers on Monday. pic.twitter.com/WfqISwSJDb
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 17, 2024
Morris is a welcome addition to a pretty banged-up frontcourt for a Cavaliers team continuing a tough streak of games. Morris was expected to join a playoff team after being acquired by San Antonio in late February. The Cavs are the fourth team for the 14-year veteran forward, whose last appearance in a game was more than a month ago.
Morris has also been a member of the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers this year. He posted 6.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.0 3-pointers with a .439/.400/.861 shooting line in 17.2 minutes in 37 appearances for the 76ers.
Cleveland appears to be headed to its second straight playoff appearance for the second year in a row. The Cavaliers sit in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 42-25 record. The Cavs are one game behind the Milwaukee Bucks and two and a half games ahead of fourth-place New York. The Cavs haven’t made back-to-back playoff appearances since the mid-2010s.
But Cleveland is going through a tough time. Last night, the Cavs fell to Houston 117-103, marking their sixth loss in the previous 11 games. While the Cavs had big wins against Boston, Minnesota and New Orleans during this 10-game stretch, they also suffered setbacks against Brooklyn and Atlanta.
Injuries to the Cavs
The Cavaliers are also dealing with several injuries. The Cavs were still without Dean Wade, Max Strus, And Evan Mobley against the Rockets. SO Donovan Mitchell, playing only his second match since February 29, suffered an injury setback.
Wade has missed three straight games with a knee ailment, but he could be back against the Pacers on Monday. Wade was questionable last night before being demoted. Strus, who has missed seven straight games, could also be back Monday.
Meanwhile, Mobley and Ty Jerome expect to be available until at least March 22.
Morris is eligible to sign another 10-day contract once his current contract expires. However, he must sign a standard contract to qualify for the playoffs.
Donovan Mitchell injury
Mitchell returned to the field against New Orleans on March 13. He had missed seven games with a knee injury but thought he was getting stronger. Mitchell was wrong.
According to Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Mitchell was very uncomfortable for most of his 26 minutes of playing time and frequently went to the bench to consult with the coaches. Mitchell finished the match with 13 points on 4 of 13 shots, three rebounds and assists.
Mitchell told Fedor he was unlikely to play on Monday.
“I tried to hide it as much as possible. But it’s pretty obvious. It’s rubbish. I thought I was ready. I’m not. I can’t be wrong. I just have to start again.
#Cavs Donovan Mitchell’s sore knee is still bothering him and it’s going to cost him more games.
“I tried to hide it as much as possible. But it’s pretty obvious. It sucks. I thought I was ready. I’m not. I can’t be wrong. I just have to start again. “https://t.co/2QdsajILF5
– Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) March 17, 2024
Although Mitchell doesn’t know how much time he will miss, he said he doesn’t expect to need surgery and expressed optimism that he will return to 100 percent before the end of the regular season .
“The only thing we don’t have time for is to rest, but that’s what you need, is to rest. Sit back and take the right approach because at the end of the day, April is what we’re preparing for. I tried to hide it as much as possible. But it’s pretty blatant and obvious. It’s rubbish. I am very angry. But I trust these guys. I’m going to go there and do their thing. I will make it. And then be ready to go.
“…I am a very enthusiastic person. I want to be there. I have no doubt that everything will be fine. Everyone believes the same thing. It is not worrying from this point of view. Rather, it’s me fighting my own battle.
Cleveland is 9-9 in games Mitchell has missed this season.
Anthony Davis is questionable for Monday’s game against the Hawks
The Los Angeles Lakers (36-32) fell to 10th in the Western Conference with their 128-121 loss against the Golden State Warriors (35-31). However, the Lakers are most concerned about the health of Anthony Davis.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Davis only played 12 minutes against the Warriors before being ruled out with an eye contusion.
McMenamin said Davis’ injury occurred in the first quarter when Tracey Jackson-Davis accidentally hit him in the face while making a layup. He said Davis was visually impaired and his eye was swollen and closed. Davis will be monitored today and then a decision will be made on whether he can play Monday against Atlanta.
Anthony Davis’ vision was impaired and his eye was swollen and closed after the contact, a source familiar with the matter told ESPN. Davis will be monitored overnight and Sunday to determine his availability Monday against Atlanta
– Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 17, 2024
Davis has only missed four games this season. But the Lakers are just 1-3 in those contests, with all three losses coming by double digits.
If Davis misses time, Jaxson Hayes should see an increased role. Hayes finished with seven points and a game-high 12 rebounds in 28 minutes against the Warriors.
Phoenix Suns News
As previously statedthe Phoenix Suns add Isaiah Thomas to a 10 day contract. Thomas recently joined the G-League Salt Lake City Stars, where he averaged 32.5 points, 5.2 assists and 6.2 3-pointers in four games. His shooting slash line was .407/.446/.909.
Thomas is expected to eventually land a standard contract with the Suns, taking their 15th spot, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. Gambadoro added that Thomas is unlikely to be a rotation player for the Suns, but is a great insurance piece.
Isaiah Thomas is coming to Phoenix on a 10-day contract according to a report, but he is expected to take the last spot on the Suns’ roster. I would doubt he makes the playoff rotation at 8-9, so more of an insurance policy if one of the guards gets hurt.
– John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) March 17, 2024
Thomas is a veteran guard who should provide leadership and punch to the second unit when called upon. The 35-year-old has averaged 17.7 points and 4.8 assists in 550 career NBA games. He is a career 43.4% shooter from the field and 36.2% from the 3-point line. Thomas’ best season was 2016-17, when he was selected to the All-Star Game and finished fifth in MVP voting.
While Phoenix aspires to the NBA title, the Suns are sixth in the Western Conference with 39-28. Part of the Suns’ problems this season have been injury-related. The Suns have only four players who have played in at least 60 games, with Jusuf Nurkic listed among the team-high 63. In total, the Suns used 21 players and 20 starting lineups.
If Thomas isn’t going to be a major part of the Suns’ second unit, who will? Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic believes the core of the Suns’ second five will consist of Eric Gordon, Royce O’Neale, Bowl BowlAnd Drew Eubanks.
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