The 34-year-old Markieff Morris has agreed to return to the Dallas Mavericks on a one-year contract, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. While his return might not mean significant court time—he’s appeared in just 34 games for the Mavs since his 2023 trade from the Wizards—it does ensure that a veteran presence remains in the locker room. The Mavericks aren’t re-signing Morris for his 2.5 points per game or the 15 three-pointers he made last season. Instead, they value his leadership, which head coach Jason Kidd has highlighted by naming Morris the team’s MVP over Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic.
Morris began his career with the Phoenix Suns and enjoyed his peak years as a power forward with the Washington Wizards, playing alongside John Wall and Bradley Beal. He has since played for six different teams and won an NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
In Dallas, Morris has become popular with fans, particularly because of his support for the Dallas Cowboys despite being from Philadelphia. This connection has earned him goodwill, especially in a city known for its strong sports loyalties.
The only downside is that Morris was unable to convince the Mavericks to also sign his twin brother, Marcus Morris. Markieff had hoped they would be a package deal, but for now, he will occupy the team’s final roster spot.
Even if Morris doesn’t see any game action, his presence is considered valuable for maintaining team cohesion, especially with strong personalities like Doncic, Irving, and Klay Thompson in the mix.
Be the first to comment