Woj: Marcus Morris Reneging on Agreement with Spurs?

[Marcus Bryant]

You think teams will want to offer him next summer after this ? For Klutch to keep on shopping for him?

One would think, but there's always someone. Maybe I'm wrong and GMs throughout the league will start to treat that agency more skeptically. Players backing out of agreements is bush league and has limited effectiveness. Unfortunately this is one of those times it is effective, albeit for marginally better money.

But, yes, in the grand scheme of things, would a team want to make an eight figure, long term offer to Morris next season and tie up its cap with the potential for being held up by a clownshow?

[cjw]

The Spurs didn’t get “nothing” for Bertans. They got to retain the full MLE. Except for the fact that there are no players left worthy of the MLE, and the roster is too full to split it two ways.

Spurs and Hornets are only two teams left with at least the non-taxpayer MLE (besides Knicks but that goes away once Morris deal gets done).

Hopefully the MLE can be used to give extra $$$ to secure a buyout guy, or for Nikola at the end of his season. But right now, looks like he may be on the move to Moscow from Olympiacos. His NBA buyout expires soon.

[Marcus Bryant]

The Spurs didn’t get “nothing” for Bertans. They got to retain the full MLE.

Except for the fact that there are no players left worthy of the MLE, and the roster is too full to split it two ways.

Spurs and Hornets are only two teams left with at least the non-taxpayer MLE (besides Knicks but that goes away once Morris deal gets done).

Hopefully the MLE can be used to give extra $$$ to secure a buyout guy, or for Nikola at the end of his season. But right now, looks like he may be on the move to Moscow from Olympiacos. His NBA buyout expires soon.

Might as well bring him over and see what he can do, need frontcourt depth anyways.

[rasuo214]

Hopefully teams in the future will be reluctant in going after guys represented by Klutch. It won't hurt the big names but maybe the mid/lower tier guys.

[8FOR!3]

At times he was good on defense bc of his length and he moves his feet, but Bertans moves like a deer on ice skates and proved to be unplayable in the playoffs. If we were lacking enough regular season talent to win games then he would be a significant loss but he really isn't.

[Marcus Bryant]

Good riddance for Morris. If he can't be trusted to live up to the agreement he made and would rather play for a dysfunctional franchise with the worst team in the league, GTFO to be honest.

[Marcus Bryant]

Hopefully teams in the future will be reluctant in going after guys represented by Klutch. It won't hurt the big names but maybe the mid/lower tier guys.

Seems inevitable. Agents/agencies which lose respect among GMs for how they conduct business pay a price. naturally star level talent won't be hurt as much, but if I'm shopping for backups do I want the headache of dealing with some clownshow that can't be trusted? All for someone who will be borderline between the rotation and a permanent seat on the bench?

[Dex]

I'm not sure if it's a good or bad sign that this is dragging out so long.

On one side, it may signify that the Knicks are having trouble coming to an agreement with Bullock and/or the Spurs are pushing hard to get Morris to reconsider.

On the flip, the pool of FAs gets smaller with each passing day should the Spurs still decide to go shopping with the MLE this summer. I don't really want Lyles, but guys like him aren't just going to wait around and skip on deals while Morris and the Knicks play paddy-cake.

[mo7888]

I'm not sure if it's a good or bad sign that this is dragging out so long.

On one side, it may signify that the Knicks are having trouble coming to an agreement with Bullock and/or the Spurs are pushing hard to get Morris to reconsider.

On the flip, the pool of FAs gets smaller with each passing day should the Spurs still decide to go shopping with the MLE this summer. I don't really want Lyles, but guys like him aren't just going to wait around and skip on deals while the Morris and the Knicks play paddy-cake.

I don't think there are any FA's left that make a difference. We will need to make a trade

[pad300]

I see a bunch of people saying we should go for Covington in this thread. For my 2 cents, I am not sure the PATFO is interested. They have been pretty disciplined about keeping to a cap space in 2021 plan - post current aldridge, post Derozan (assuming he takes up his option)... Covington is under contract until 2022. I'm not sure he's seen as a difference maker enough for the PATFO to break from their 2021 plan.

[Dverde]

We lost Bertans for nothing, "valuable trade piece". And lost some cap space and money for free agency in 2 offseasons. All because they lied to the Spurs. If it was just a simple backout deal, all good.

Worked out well for Demarre Carroll.

[Marcus Bryant]

I'm not sure if it's a good or bad sign that this is dragging out so long.

On one side, it may signify that the Knicks are having trouble coming to an agreement with Bullock and/or the Spurs are pushing hard to get Morris to reconsider.

Probably the former. At best the Knicks are now offering him half the guaranteed money for the same number of years as he thought he had agreed to with them originally. This is, after all, a tale of both Morris and the Knicks reneging on agreements they made with other parties. If Bullock balks at helping the Knicks and Morris out, that pretty much ends this. The Knicks backing out of an agreement with a player over a medical issue which costs that player $10+MM is destined for court.

For the Spurs, while I'm sure at this point RC and Pop want to tell Morris, Paul, and the Knicks to GFY, as you point out the remaining talent out there isn't the best, and, hey, it's a business, so I'm sure they've made the effort until it's clear it's pointless.

[rasuo214]

If I were PATFO I'd pull the offer at this point. He isn't going to be that big of a difference maker and do they really want this kind of guy on the team? Plus it would remove any leverage Morris/Paul have with the Knicks.

[Marcus Bryant]

If I were PATFO I'd pull the offer at this point. He isn't going to be that big of a difference maker and do they really want this kind of guy on the team? Plus it would remove any leverage Morris/Paul have with the Knicks.

Then the Spurs become the 'bad guys'. Even if they lose out on Morris, you don't want to damage your rep in the process. The Spurs made an offer and they need to stand behind it until Morris signs with whoever.

[Leetonidas]

[spurraider21]

I'm not sure if it's a good or bad sign that this is dragging out so long.

On one side, it may signify that the Knicks are having trouble coming to an agreement with Bullock and/or the Spurs are pushing hard to get Morris to reconsider.

On the flip, the pool of FAs gets smaller with each passing day should the Spurs still decide to go shopping with the MLE this summer. I don't really want Lyles, but guys like him aren't just going to wait around and skip on deals while Morris and the Knicks play paddy-cake.

i think its bad. if he decided he's gonna honor the spurs deal, there is no incentive in dragging this out. if theres a holdup as far as how much bullock wants, its a legit question as far as who they'd prioritize. they're offering morris more money than they originally offered bullock, which makes me think they'd lean morris, though bullock is better for them in a need/fit way and they at least get 2 years out of him

[timvp]

If I'm the Spurs, I just keep waiting. Keep that offer on the table. If you pull the offer, that allows Morris and Klutch to say they were forced to move on after the Spurs got impatient. It also forces the Knicks to make a public decision about Bullock.

The Spurs aren't missing out on anything of note by waiting. If Morris and Klutch are going to go back on their word, don't give them any outs.

[spurraider21]

If I were PATFO I'd pull the offer at this point. He isn't going to be that big of a difference maker and do they really want this kind of guy on the team? Plus it would remove any leverage Morris/Paul have with the Knicks.

no point in pulling the offer. its not like there are other MLE worthy players out there that we're risking losing out on. even if morris drags this out another week, if he ends up signing on with the spurs, all is well. even if thats only a 5-10% chance right now, what's the harm?

[monty4329]

Then the Spurs become the 'bad guys'. Even if they lose out on Morris, you don't want to damage your rep in the process. The Spurs made an offer and they need to stand behind it until Morris signs with whoever.

Not really. The offer was made, Morris didn't show for his physical, Spurs waited a couple days then signed somebody else: what ''bad guys''? And even if the press twists it that way, who cares. Everybody in the business knows what is going on.

[Ocotillo]

Worst team in the league last season. That's quite an accomplishment. Now they're engaged in all kinds of shenanigans to land B/C grade talent in free agency. I'm fairly certain this forum could run the Knicks better.

Let's not get carried away now.

[Marcus Bryant]

Not really. The offer was made, Morris didn't show for his physical, Spurs waited a couple days then signed somebody else: what ''bad guys''? And even if the press twists it that way, who cares. Everybody in the business knows what is going on.

Perception is everything. The Spurs made the offer and stand behind it. Just like they take care of loyal players. It's up to Morris and his reps to break their word.

[Marcus Bryant]

Let's not get carried away now.

Oh, I factored in ducks handling PR.

[rjv]

if morris winds up with the knicks, the media will call it a big signing and a solid addition to the knicks. if he stays with the spurs, the media will say it's a ho-hum deal and that he doesn't do much for the spurs roster.

[lmbebo]

if morris winds up with the knicks, the media will call it a big signing and a solid addition to the knicks. if he stays with the spurs, the media will say it's a ho-hum deal and that he doesn't do much for the spurs roster.

Everything is better in NY

Doesn't make much sense anyways.... Portis, Randle, Barrett, some 7 footer (name escapes me). Not a lot of mins in NY ...

[Trainwreck2100]

if morris winds up with the knicks, the media will call it a big signing and a solid addition to the knicks. if he stays with the spurs, the media will say it's a ho-hum deal and that he doesn't do much for the spurs roster.

the east is bad enough that that narrative would hold