PistonPowered
Fansided

Detroit Pistons 2019-20 preview: Markieff Morris’ profile

By Blake Stackpoole

PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 7: Markieff Morris #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 7, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 7: Markieff Morris #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder warms up before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 7, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 19: Markieff Morris #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 19: Markieff Morris #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during Game Three of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Reviewing Morris’ 2018-19 season

Last season was one of the worst seasons in Morris’ career due to an injury he suffered on Jan. 3, 2019. That injury was diagnosed as “transient cervical neuropraxia” after a battling neck and upper back stiffness.

In Markieff’s thirty-four games, where he started fifteen, he averaged 11.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game, while shooting 43.6 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from behind the arc.

On Oct. 22, Morris had the best game of his season scoring 28 in a 125-124 OT victory in Portland. What made his performance so incredible was shooting 9-for-15 including 6-of-10 from three in only 25 minutes, and also grabbing nine rebounds.

Related Story. Can Markieff Morris give the Pistons the same energy as his twin?. light

On Feb. 6, the Wizards decided to cut their losses and continue their rebuild by sending Morris and a 2023 second round pick to the Pelicans for Wesley Johnson. The next day New Orleans decided to release Morris.

He was most heavily linked to the Lakers and Rockets as both teams were looking for his ability to stretch the floor and play defense. Morris was in Los Angeles for his neck treatment and the Rockets were desperate for frontcourt depth behind Nene, P.J. Tucker, and Clint Capela. Eventually, Markieff decided to sign for the Oklahoma City on Feb. 20, to partner with Nerlens Noel and back-up Jerami Grant.

In his limited role and limited time in OKC, Markieff started only one of his 24 games, and only averaged 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. This role will be similar to his role in Detroit.

Home/Pistons News