The Los Angeles Lakers look like they missed out on another buyout candidate, as Markieff Morris will reportedly sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Los Angeles Lakers made a trade many people questioned prior to the NBA Trade Deadline. They sent Ivica Zubac and Michael Beasley across the hallway to the Los Angeles Clippers for Mike Muscala.
On paper, this trade made little sense. Sure, Muscala could help stretch the court as a 3-point shooting center. But, Zubac had looked like the Lakers’ best center the past few weeks. Beasley also had a confrontation with head coach Luke Walton, so that could have played a part.
The biggest takeaway from this trade, however, was the open roster spot that was created. With that spot, the Lakers could now become players in the buyout market to continue strengthening their roster for a playoff push.
The buyout market was rather strong this year. There were a number of veterans on expiring contracts that were released after the trade deadline. As a result, the Lakers have a number of players to choose from.
Two players the Lakers went after were Wayne Ellington and Enes Kanter. Ellington ended up signing with the Detroit Pistons, while Kanter signed with the Portland Trail Blazers. Now, you can cross off another potential Los Angeles target off the list.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Markieff Morris has agreed to sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Free agent Markieff Morris has agreed to sign with Oklahoma City, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 14, 2019
Morris was a player that the Lakers were reportedly interested in. Morris hit the buyout market after being traded from the Washington Wizards to the New Orleans Pelicans at the trade deadline.
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Morris was dealing with a neck injury, but that didn’t put a damper on his market. In addition to the Lakers and Thunder, Morris also received interest from Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors, among other suitors.
Morris is represented by Rich Paul, LeBron James‘ best friend and Klutch Sports representative. So, it was easy to connect the dots for a Morris and Lakers connection on and off the court.
While that was a strong tie, there is a big difference between the Lakers and the other teams mentioned by Charania that went after Morris. Los Angeles is on the outside looking in of the playoff race.
The Thunder, Rockets, Nets and Raptors are all currently in the top-8 of their respective conferences. The Lakers currently sit in 10th place in the Western Conference, three games behind the Los Angeles Clippers and two behind the Sacramento Kings.
This is a blow for the Lakers, as Morris would have brought a lot to the table for their second unit. He could have also helped their small-ball lineups, which have been a disaster this season with Kyle Kuzma and James playing the five spot.
With Morris off the board, the likelihood that the Lakers sign Carmelo Anthony grows by the day. The options are dwindling, especially in the frontcourt.