BOSTON, MA – APRIL 14: Marcus Morris of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball over Tyreke Evans of the Indiana Pacers during Game 1 of the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
By Ty Anderson, 985TheSportsHub.com
In an offseason of nothing but uncertainty, the Celtics can take some comfort in knowing that Marcus Morris has not closed the door on a potential return to Boston, according to NBA insider Keith Smith.
Also told this morning that unrestricted free agent Marcus Morris has not ruled out re-signing with the Celtics as a free agent. He enjoyed his time in Boston and knows he'll have a major role if he returns. But Morris fully intends to test the market and see what is out there.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) June 16, 2019
Now that’s not the most ringing endorsement, but it’s a welcomed change from what everybody assumed would be the case with Morris at the start of the 2018-19 season as a player that the C’s would simply be unable to keep and that Morris would not want to stick around given the high-ceiling logjam on the wings between Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward, and Jaylen Brown.
There’s also the fact that Morris put up an absolute career year for the Green in 2018-19, with a 13.9 points per night, a career-best 6.1 rebounds per night, and career-high 44.7 field goal percentage.
But Boston could certainly use Morris for his outspoken-but-honest leadership approach, too, especially with point guard Kyrie Irving expected to leave Boston as a free agent (be it for Brooklyn, New York or even Los Angeles), and with Al Horford’s ability to opt out and see what else is out there on the open market (as unlikely as that may seem).
The Celtics will have plenty of competition for the fiery Morris, though, as it’s believed that the Bulls, Clippers, Kings, Knicks, and Lakers will also be among those vying for Morris once free agency opens.