NBA Free Agency 2020: 5 offseason targets for the Miami Heat
By John Likanje
4. Marcus Morris, Sr.
Marcus Morris, Sr. is a better and safer option for the Heat if they’re unable to secure Aron Baynes. Due to ceding touches to Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, his regular-season numbers with the Los Angeles Clippers (10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 42.5 percent field goal shooting, including 31 percent from long range and 81.8 percent from the free-throw line) were a drastic change from when he was with the New York Knicks (19.6 points, 5.4 boards, 44.2 percent field goal shooting, including 43.9 percent from distance and 82.3 percent from the charity stripe).
However, Morris’s stats did improve in the postseason (11.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 50.5 percent shooting, including 47.5 percent from downtown and 92.9 percent from the foul line). In fact, he hit multiple three-pointers in seven of the Clippers’ 13 games, including six in which he made three and three in which he made four.
The elephant in the room with Morris is that his defense is a little suspect and he’s an instigator. Those will be two huge factors for whichever teams are interested in signing him. On the other hand, an instigator or an enforcer could be beneficial for the Heat.
Despite their major and well-deserved accomplishments this season, the fact remains that the Heat are still a relatively young team with unproven players. This means that older teams with more veteran experience could take advantage by imposing their physicality.
As of now, the only legitimate enforcer on the team is Jimmy Butler. Although Jae Crowder is a free agent and the Heat own his bird rights, Morris would be a significant upgrade. Finally, Morris is only 31 years old and has plenty of high-level basketball left.