"League-shattering move" - NBA fans roast Knicks for signing Marcus Morris to join Jalen Brunson in his 14th season

The New York Knicks continued rounding out their 2024-25 training camp roster Sunday, signing veteran forward Marcus Morris to a non-guaranteed deal. Shortly after, NBA fans mocked the franchise for scraping the bottom of the free-agency barrel.

Morris has been a reliable stretch-four role player throughout most of his first 13 seasons. However, his production declined considerably with the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers last season. Over 49 games, including seven starts, he averaged only 6.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game, shooting 43.9%.

Following his lackluster year, Morris remained unsigned for most of the offseason. However, that changed Sunday when The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that the Knicks signed the veteran forward to a one-year contract.

Marcus Morris' deal is reportedly an Exhibit 9 contract, offering him a chance to fight for a roster spot in training camp next month. He will likely compete against sharpshooter Landry Shamet, who signed a similar deal the day prior.

If Morris makes New York's final roster, he will enter his 14th season as a member of one of the Eastern Conference's premier contenders.

Last season, the Jalen Brunson-led Knicks finished second (50-32) in the East, securing their first 50-win season since the 2012-13 campaign. Afterward, they came within one win of their first conference finals appearance since 2000, falling 4-3 to the Indiana Pacers in the playoffs' second round.

New York has since fortified its frontcourt, acquiring star wing Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets this offseason. However, NBA fans seemingly aren't expecting Morris to be much of a difference-maker for the franchise.

Following the news of his signing, many fans on X/Twitter roasted the Knicks for adding a past-his-prime "ring chaser."

"League-shattering move," @30problemz said.

"Bro is so washed it is crazy," @Lebronin1 wrote.

"[The] Knicks [are] getting all those ring chasers now," @santonunnari said.

"[The] Knicks think they have [a] chance against [the Boston] Celtics and [Milwaukee] Bucks," @tronnniel wrote.

Meanwhile, some questioned why the team hasn't signed a proven backup big man after losing Isaiah Hartenstein to the OKC Thunder in free agency.

"Wow, can we get a center?" @RaskinsThe said.

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Marcus Morris provided career-best offensive production during brief first Knicks stint

If Marcus Morris makes New York's final roster, it will mark his second stint with the franchise.

Morris signed with the Knicks in the 2019 offseason, playing half a season before being dealt to the LA Clippers midway through the 2019-20 campaign. Over 43 appearances, he provided career-best offensive production, averaging 19.6 ppg along with 5.4 rpg, 1.4 apg, 0.8 spg and 2.7 3pg, shooting 44.2%.

Marcus Morris appears unlikely to replicate that production at this stage of his career. However, perhaps a reunion with New York will reignite him in Year 14.

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