Lakers News: Former Lakers Star Finds New Home with Western Conference Rival

According to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic , Markieff Morris, a former player for the Los Angeles Lakers and a member of their 2020 NBA Championship team, has signed with the Dallas Mavericks.

Morris, now 34, returns to the Mavericks after they prioritized his re-signing. He brings valuable experience and leadership as he enters his 14th NBA season.

Drafted 13th overall by the Phoenix Suns in 2011, Morris has had a solid career, averaging 10.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He spent five seasons with the Suns before being traded to the Washington Wizards, where he played for four seasons. His time in Washington was affected by injuries, including a hernia surgery and a diagnosis of transient cervical neurapraxia.

In 2019, Morris was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans but was waived shortly after. He then signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder and later the Detroit Pistons, where he averaged 11 points per game before agreeing to a buyout in February 2020. Shortly after, he joined the Lakers and played a crucial role in their championship run, stepping into the starting lineup against the Houston Rockets.

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After a season with the Lakers, Morris played for the Miami Heat and the Brooklyn Nets before being traded back to the Mavericks in February 2023. He was part of the Mavericks team that reached the 2024 NBA Finals, although they fell short against the Boston Celtics.

Morris's experience and leadership will be significant assets for the Mavericks as they aim to compete in the upcoming season.