So far this offseason, the world champion Golden State Warriors have lost some of their depth.
Gary Payton II, Otto Porter Jr., Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damion Lee and Nemanja Bjelica have all departed, leaving the team in need of some reinforcements.
The most glaring need at the moment is for frontcourt depth, particularly at the power forward spot.
Yes, Jonathan Kuminga is coming up fast, but at 6-foot-8 and 210 pounds, he’s a bit undersized for the 4 spot.
As it was, the Warriors looked a bit undersized at times during the NBA Finals versus the Boston Celtics, and with a number of teams, including the Celtics, likely to improve next season, they will need to also get better.
The pickings are slim about a week into NBA free agency, but one veteran, experienced power forward who could possibly fit in well with Golden State’s system and culture is still available.
Markieff Morris Could Be The Best Of The Remaining Free Agent Big Forwards
The Warriors are a relatively younger team thanks to the emergence of Kuminga, Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins, as well as the presence of James Wiseman, who didn’t play at all this past season.
Adding a bit of a veteran presence wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world for the Warriors, even though Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are all firmly in their 30s now.
Morris has career averages of 10.9 points and 5.2 rebounds in 24.8 minutes per game, and he has been known as a big forward who has a smooth outside shot.
His 3-point shooting percentage has fallen over the last two years, but when it matters, he is a threat that other teams need to account for.
Just two years ago, Morris won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers, who signed him in February after the Detroit Pistons waived him.
In 14 regular season games with L.A., he shot just 40.6 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc, but in the playoffs, he dramatically increased those numbers to 44.9 percent and 42.0 percent, respectively.
Morris may not be a defensive stopper, but at 6-foot-9 and 245 pounds, he has the size to bother men such as Jayson Tatum, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Morris Is A Tough Customer
One of the best things about Morris is that he is a tough and physical player who seemingly backs down from no one.
Yes, he has taken it too far a couple of times, such as his incident with Nikola Jokic early this past season.
Nikola Jokic and Markieff Morris were both ejected from the game after the two exchanged hard fouls. pic.twitter.com/AtOklXIU5k
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 9, 2021
Jokic’s excessive cheap shot gave Morris a case of whiplash, which kept him out until March.
Then, during the 2020-21 campaign, there was a less severe incident between Morris and DeMarcus Cousins.
Markieff Morris and Boogie got into it. pic.twitter.com/efgRrnMbLZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 11, 2021
If Morris keeps his emotions in check, he can supply the Warriors with plenty of toughness, and he may even be able to find a soulmate in the regard in Draymond Green, who is certainly not afraid to get under an opponent’s skin either.
At age 32, Morris may not be a spring chicken, but in limited minutes off the bench, he should have something left in the tank, and a shot at another world title could inspire him to play better than he has since 2020.
NEXT: Warriors Signing Donte DiVincenzo Is A Key Move
