Finding one player from the Los Angeles Clippers the Atlanta Hawks could sign this off-season
Staying in Los Angeles to continue our series of finding one player from every team the Atlanta Hawks could sign this off-season. Last time we looked at the Lakers, and here we’ll find one player the Hawks could sign away from the Clippers.
The Clips are one of the top favorites to win the title in Orlando, and their veteran-heavy roster features a handful of free agents to be. From a Hawks perspective, there are no fits that jump off the page, but there are some veterans that could help the Hawks.
Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris, two mid-season additions for the Clips could fill the Hawks’ backup point guard and power forward spots, although they could find bigger money than the Hawks are willing to offer. Morris is the better potential fit, so we’ll humor signing him here.
Split between the Knicks and Clippers, Morris had a career-year. Although his counting stats dropped off after going from being the first option in New York to a high-volume role player in L.A, Morris still fared well.
He’ll likely be looking for something near or above the $15 million he made this year and should get it in this weak free agency class. As mentioned, that could be a bit steep for the Hawks, but Morris does have value the team could tap into.
The 30-year-old could come in and be the sixth man behind John Collins, or he could slide over to the three and work as a starter. The 6’8 Morris worked as a small forward in his time with the Knicks this season, although he’s been a power forward throughout most of his career.
If the Hawks want to get their money’s worth out of a potential signing, Morris could become the starting small forward for the team. De’Andre Hunter, who filled that role this season, could take a backseat for a few seasons and learn behind Morris.
Morris is a stout, energetic defender and is a great spot-up shooter. He shot 41 percent from three on nearly six attempts per game and it’s easy to imagine him becoming a favorite kick-out target of Trae Young‘s.
There will be better (and cheaper) fits in the free agency, but Marcus Morris could work in Atlanta, especially on a short-term, lucrative contract.
Should the Atlanta Hawks sign Marcus Morris?