The Cleveland Cavaliers have only 12 players under standard contract. They are the only franchise with more than one open spot on their 15-man roster. The Cavs are trying to fix the problem Isaac Okoro’s Restricted Free Agency and aim to compete after locking in their long-term core pieces.
There are still a lot of unanswered questions. Cleveland has two small guards in its backcourt and two big men who don’t shoot. They need help on the wing and need to figure out if Darius Garland is in their long term plansThe Cavaliers believe they can compete, but their shortcomings may prove too great.
The Pistons are the only team with cap space left at just $10.2 million. That likely means Okoro will eventually return to Cleveland on a new contract. The Cavs have other moves to make, including this obvious veteran minimum signing.
Cleveland had the NBA’s 12th-best net rating last season. It was boosted by the seventh-best defense, but they were 16th in offense. The Cavs were middle of the pack in 3-point shooting and had too many lineups that struggled to keep space on the floor.
Cleveland signed Morris Sr. in March after he was released by the Spurs. The 2.03-m wing averaged 5.8 points and 2.1 rebounds in 15.0 minutes per game. He played a bit more in the playoffs and had two standout games. Morris scored 12 points in 25.8 minutes in a Game 5 win over the Magic and scored 25 points on 10-of-13 shooting in the Cavs’ last game against the Celtics.
Cleveland desperately needs a forward who can bring size, floor space and defense to its lineup. The Cavaliers will likely only have minimum contracts to offer, and Morris Sr. is the best free agent available.
Things were not always harmonious during the veteran’s short stay in Cleveland, but the two sides appear destined to reunite. Morris Sr. gives the Cavaliers a needed spark as a backup, and the franchise gets a rotation player for the minimum.
Fans shouldn’t expect too much from Marcus Morris Sr. for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He’ll likely play 15-20 minutes per game and be inconsistent. The 34-year-old is a no-brainer. The Cavs are hoping Kenny Atkinson can lead the franchise back to the top, but the head coach needs a talented roster. That’s up to management to figure out, and signing Morris is a good start.
