Former KU Jayhawks forward Marcus Morris signs contract with NBA’s New York Knicks

Like his twin brother Markieff Morris, former University of Kansas forward Marcus Morris will likely play a 14th season in the NBA.

Marcus Morris, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound Philadelphia native who played at KU from 2008-11, has agreed to a one-year contract with the New York Knicks, the team announced Sunday. Markieff Morris, also a Jayhawks forward from 2008-11, recently signed a one-year contract with the Dallas Mavericks.

It’s worth noting that Marcus Morris’ Schedule 9 contract is essentially a non-guaranteed training camp deal. If Morris makes the Knicks’ final roster, his contract would turn into a one-year, non-guaranteed deal for the veteran’s minimum salary.

The Knicks would then have until the January deadline to decide whether to keep him or waive him.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported on social media site X that the Knicks would only be required to pay Morris $15,000 if he were injured during his signing. He would be paid $3,303,771 for the 2024-25 season if he is indeed selected to the final roster.

According to CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn, Morris and veteran Landry Shamet, who also signed an Exhibit 9 contract, will compete with Chuma Okeke for the team’s final roster spot.

“Shamet and Morris could theoretically add depth to a Knicks team looking to improve on its 50-32 record last season and advance to its first Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years,” wrote Alex Kirschenbaum of hoopsrumors.com. “In his prime, Morris, now 35, was a solid 3-and-D role player on multiple playoff teams.”

Marcus Morris has played for eight NBA teams over his 13-year career. He played for the Knicks during the 2019-20 season.

Marcus began the 2023–24 season with his hometown Philadelphia 76ers, then was traded to San Antonio and agreed to a buyout; he never played a game for the Spurs. He signed with Cleveland for the final weeks of the season and the playoffs. Marcus Morris averaged 6.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game with the Sixers. He shot 40.0 percent from three-point range.

After joining Cleveland, he appeared in nine of the Cavs’ 12 playoff games last season. Cleveland lost to Boston in the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs 4-1. Marcus Morris has played for the Knicks, Sixers, Cavs, Clippers, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics during his career.

The Morris twins played at KU from 2008-11. Markieff was selected 13th overall in the 2011 NBA draft and Marcus was selected 14th overall. Markieff averages 10.3 points and 4.9 rebounds in the NBA. Marcus averages 12.0 points and 4.4 rebounds.