Los Angeles Lakers: Three stretch forwards that can replace Kyle Kuzma
By Jason Reed
Markieff Morris
The Los Angeles Lakers brought in the recently bought out Markieff Morris to provide more depth and potentially add another difference-maker off the bench in the playoffs. Morris is a three and D stretch four that fits the Lakers’ play style perfectly.
I would not have been surprised if Morris ended up getting more playing time in the playoffs than Kuzma as well. While we have not seen much of Morris in LA, the Lakers very well could have been using this season and the playoffs as a tryout of sorts to see if the team wants to re-sign him for next season.
Morris played only eight games with the Lakers, averaging 14.8 minutes per game. He only shot 28.6 percent from beyond the arc in those eight games but has a season mark of 38.6 percent, so we know that he can shoot the rock.
Morris’ twin brother, Marcus, was viewed as the more valuable asset during the buyout period because he was enjoying a good year with the New York Knicks but I would argue that Markieff is a better fit on the team.
Marcus is someone who is going to demand a higher usage rate in order to be successful, and thus, is going to cost more in free agency. For what the Lakers need, it would be much wiser to re-sign Markieff, as he will be cheaper and is better suited for the role player role.
Marcus’ usage rate with the Los Angeles Clippers was 16.4 percent, eight percent lower than it was in New York and the lowest of his career. Granted, it was a small sample size, but Marcus actually posted negative offensive win shares with the Clippers in 12 games.