35-year-old veteran forward has 'real chance' to make Knicks roster

The New York Knicks continued to add to their roster on Sunday, signing veteran forward Marcus Morris Sr. to an Exhibit 9 deal.

An Exhibit 9 contract is essentially a training camp invite. The Knicks also signed veteran guard Landry Shamet to an Exhibit 9 deal, meaning both he and Morris will compete for the Knicks final guaranteed roster spot.

Morris spent part of the 2019-20 season with the Knicks and was one of the lone bright spots on a team that went 21-45. Morris averaged 19.6 points on 43% three-point shooting in 43 games with the Knicks. He was traded at the deadline to the LA Clippers for a first-round pick (which essentially became Immanuel Quickley ).

That stint with the Knicks has left a good impression with the team. According to SNY's Ian Begley, Morris has a "real chance" to make the final roster.

Morris' play has declined over recent years. He gradually lost time in the Clippers' rotation, and he spent the 2023-24 season with the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers . Morris appeared in just 12 games with the Cavs.

That the Knicks view Morris as a stretch four or five is interesting, given the team's current roster dynamics. The Knicks are thin at center and will need to address the position at some point during the season. In the meantime, Julius Randle may play more center , and we've written that the 6-foot-8 Keita Bates-Diop could even be worth trying as a stretch five .

Morris is listed at 6-foot-8, 218 lb, which would leave him undersized at center. However, Morris has long been renowned for his toughness, so perhaps he could handle minutes there in a pinch.

Of course, Morris will have to battle with Shamet (as well as power forward Chuma Okeke, another non-guaranteed training camp player for the final roster spot. Given the types of players that head coach Tom Thibodeau has historically preferred, it would seem that Morris has the inside track.