4. Markieff Morris
The Washington Wizards made a number of trades prior to the deadline. Otto Porter Jr. and Markieff Morris were traded to help get under the tax line.
While the Lakers were interested in Trevor Ariza, it sounds like he and the Wizards are interested in sticking together beyond this season. With Ariza seemingly unavailable, the Lakers could look into acquiring another veteran forward, Markieff Morris.
Morris was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, but according to Tim Bontemps, he could be bought out by the Pelicans.
By trading Markieff Morris for Wesley Johnson, Washington is out of the tax this season — which has been Wizards’ goal this week. Morris has been out for some time with a neck injury, but could be an intriguing buyout market candidate if he can get healthy.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 7, 2019
As long as he is healthy, he would make an interesting target for Los Angeles. He would bring some toughness in the frontcourt and provide a small-ball center option. Morris is an improved shooter during his Wizards’ tenure, knocking down 35.1 percent of his attempts from the 3-point line in Washington.
Morris is also a Rich Paul client. The relationship between Paul and the Pelicans is strained, to say the least, currently because of the Anthony Davis fiasco. There is a chance that the two sides wouldn’t even get to the negotiation table as a result.
However, if they do, and Morris becomes available and is healthy, he would be an intriguing target for the Lakers. Finding depth in the frontcourt is important, as injuries have hit them hard in there throughout the season.