NBA Trade Deadline 2019: 5 post-deadline buyout candidates

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 30: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks directs his teammates in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden on January 30, 2019 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 19: Markieff Morris #5 of the Washington Wizards warms up before the game against the Houston Rockets on December 19, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Markieff Morris, F, New Orleans Pelicans

Though the Washington Wizards have run as anything but a well-oiled machine in recent years, forward Markieff Morris has been a solid contributor for them over the last three-plus seasons in the nation’s capital. However, with the Wizards brass looking to change the look of the roster given the predicament they’ve found themselves in with John Wall’s injury and their salary cap situation, they made the call to deal him ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline.

Morris was swapped with Wesley Johnson, sending the former to the New Orleans Pelicans, a move that got Washington under the luxury tax threshold. However, Morris’ time with the Pelicans never came to fruition as the currently injured forward has been released by New Orleans following the trade, as reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The most important note with Morris is that he’s currently injured, having been out since early January dealing with a neck ailment. It was reported at the time that he would be out for a minimum of six weeks, which would put him back on the floor in mid-February at the earliest.

When healthy this season, though, Morris has been fine, with averages of 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 0.7 steals in 26 minutes per game, though he’s shot just 43.6 percent from the field and 33.3 percent on his 3-point attempts.

Despite his minor struggles this season, though, a healthy Morris could be a valuable bench piece on a contender once he’s healthy, a solid cog that can give plus minutes contributing on both ends of the floor at a serviceable level.

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