Markieff Morris could help bolster the Los Angeles Lakers’ scoring production off the bench.
With their playoff push building, the Los Angeles Lakers are picking up a forward who could help bring more scoring off the bench.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, former Detroit Pistons forward Markieff Morris cleared waivers Sunday and will sign with the Lakers. Morris, who reached a buyout with the Pistons on Friday, will sign under the Lakers’ $1.75 million disabled player exception.
The Lakers had to waive DeMarcus Cousins to bring on Morris. Los Angeles received a disabled player exception before the season for Cousins, who is out with a torn left ACL.
A nine-year forward out of Kansas, Morris has continued to show his quality shooting ability this season. In 44 games with the Pistons, Morris shot 39.7% from the 3-point line and scored 11.0 points per game.
With Morris joining the Lakers, he’ll be the fourth player averaging double figures in scoring on the roster.
Morris isn’t too elite of a bench scorer, but the Lakers simply need him to help Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the Lakers’ two best bench scorers. The highest scoring average of Morris’ career is 15.3 points per game, which he posted with the Phoenix Suns during the 2014-15 season.
The Lakers don’t have a terrible bench — they rank 11th in bench scoring. But with the playoffs not too far away, having more bench production could be the difference for their potential future success.
While recovering from his ACL injury, former Warrior DeMarcus Cousins has been waived by the Los Angles Lakers to make room for Markieff Morris.
It’s been a pair of whirlwind seasons for DeMarcus Cousins. After spending one year with the Golden State Warriors in 2018-19, the All-Star center signed with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Kentucky product will not get a chance to suit up in the Lakers classic gold and purple uniforms.
Cousins suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during the offseason and has been out every game this year — now his time in Los Angeles appears to be over before it started.
Cousins has been hampered with a bevy of serious injuries since he ruptured his Achilles in 2018 as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans. Cousins then suffered a torn left quadriceps with Golden State in the first round of the 2019 playoffs.
Cousins played 30 games with Golden State averaging 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per game. Cousins registered a double-double in 10 games for Golden State, scoring a season-high 28 points and grabbing 13 rebounds against the Denver Nuggets. Cousins flashed, but injuries limited his chance of returning to his full All-Star caliber form.
“Boogie,” only 29-years-old plans to continue rehabbing his ACL injury into the offseason, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
Yahoo Sources: DeMarcus Cousins was informed yesterday by the Lakers that he would be waived. He plans to continue rehabbing ACL injury into the offseason.
Man, time flies. The NBA playoffs are right around the corner — we’re literally just 60 days away. But it still feels like we know absolutely NOTHING about the league right now.
For example, do we know for certain which teams are strong enough to squeak into the playoffs as the 8th seed? Will the Rockets ever sign another center? Will Ben Simmons take another three? We don’t know.
There are so many questions just waiting to be answered in the final third of the season before we get to April. We’ve got a bunch of them right here for you.
Here are the burning questions we need answered as a basketball viewing public, with teams listed in order of their current standing in each conference.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. How are you supposed to stop the Bucks?
Well, their defense is pretty much an impenetrable wall and their best player is a flying death machine, by himself, who is having one of the best regular seasons ever.
So, basically, ¯_(ツ)_/¯
2. Can the Raptors actually repeat?
Maybe! Last year at the All-Star break they were 43-16. This year, they’re 40-15 – so they aren’t far off. Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet have gotten even better an Kyle Lowry is still doing Kyle Lowry things. They’re a threat still.
3. Did Jayson Tatum finally make “The Leap” and how does that change things?
The 2019 edition of Jayson Tatum was bad. He shot the ball poorly and couldn’t finish layups. Since that calendar hit 2020, though? Dude has been balling. He’s shooting 47% from the floor and 40% from three while giving us all world defense.
If they get this Tatum the rest of the way? The best team in the West might be booking trips to Boston come June.
4. What is the Heat’s ceiling?
Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are incredible. But still, they’re playing with a bunch of dudes who are punching above their collective weight. Maybe they’re that good, maybe they’re not. We’ll know by April.
Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports
5. Can this sixers roster work as a unit?
The Sixers are the living embodiment of the term “on paper.” Their collection of talent should be able to beat anyone, but it turns out they can’t beat anyone — especially on the road. Can they solve that problem? We’ll see.
6. What can the Pacers get from Victor Oladipo?
Oladipo has been hit-and-miss in seven games back with the Pacers, but it’s only been seven games. If he improves, the Pacers are dangerous.
7. The Nets should probably start tanking, right?
One would think! Kyrie Irving is hurt again, they’re three games under .500, they’re the 7th seed right now. But who am I kidding? They’re totally getting swept by the Raptors in the first round while Kyrie takes 56 shots per game.
8. Uhhhh, the Magic?
I have no idea what they’re doing or where they’re headed. But Markelle Fultz seems good – so that’s great!
9. To Beal or not to Beal? That is the question.
It’s going to be so fun when the Wizards miss the playoffs by half a game this year and Bradley Beal finally demands his trade. SO FUN.
Sidebar: Never be a Wizards fan, folks. It’s unhealthy.
10. Is Zach LaVine worth going all in on?
Zach LaVine has legitimately turned into one of the league’s most polarizing players.
He’s one of the best scorers in the NBA… but he’s also a matador on defense. He’s just 24 years old… and is still turnover machine. See what I’m getting at? No idea what his future holds with the Bulls or elsewhere.
11. Is Devonte’ Graham a building block?
That game says yes. The Hornets might think otherwise, though. We’ll see.
12. Who is going to coach the Knicks next year?
Mike Miller has the Knicks at 13-20 in 33 games as their interim head coach and seems to be making a breakthrough with the young guys on the team… so we definitely know he’s out the door next season, right?
Trae Young, Clint Capela and John Collins are very good-to-great offensive pieces. It still feels like they need one more piece to make some noise next year, though.
15. How fast can they get beilein out of there?
This is how I like to imagine the conversation between Dan Gilbert and John Beilein going.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Can the Lakers win a title with what they have?
They’d better because, uh, this is it, y’all. The trade deadline has passed, Darren Collison isn’t coming through and the buyout market is, well, not great.
Let’s be honest, though. This team is still pretty great. Also, we’ve seen LeBron James drag way worse into June before. They’ll be fine.
2. Can the Nuggets actually get to the Finals?
It’s definitely possible. Nikola Jokic has been the absolute best center in the NBA this season and the Nuggets have been pretty impressive against tough competition. It’s a tough road, but don’t count them out.
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
3. When will the Clippers actually be healthy?
The correct answer is probably not this regular season, but the Clippers are definitely hoping things are fine by May. Paul George is out now with a strained hamstring and that kept him out for nine straight games in January. He might not be good again until mid-March.
4. Can the Jazz get Grizzlies-ERA Mike Conley?
Conley is the difference between the Jazz being an elite team and a second-round out. They did a chunk of their winning while he was out of the lineup with a hamstring injury, but for them to have the offensive versatility they’ve lacked in the last couple of postseasons, they need him to deliver vintage performances.
5. Will the small ball Rockets actually work?
They’re 5-2 with P.J. Tucker starting at center and look pretty good. But, man, it’s hard to imagine Tucker or Robert Covington or whoever else guarding Nikola Jokic or Anthony Davis over a seven-game series.
6. What is the Thunder’s ceiling?
Chris Paul has been absolutely incredible this year and their three guard lineups with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Paul and Dennis Schröder have been killer. But Paul is 36 years old and this team isn’t lasting forever.
7. Can Luka Doncic Cause Playoff Chaos?
Only one player in the history of the NBA has averaged at least 28 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists per game. It’s Luka. 2-seeds beware. The Mavericks are going to be a beast.
8. The Grizzlies Are going to be scary next season, Right?
Ja Morant at point. Dillon Brooks taking your best player out of the game. Jaren Jackson protecting the rim and shooting threes. The best is very clearly still ahead of this team, but they’re also amazing to watch right now.
9. How long is Damian Lillard out for?
Lillard strained his groin just before the All-Star break, which stinks. The Blazers obviously caught a huge break with virtually no basketball being played this week, but if he has to miss extended time? They’re cooked.
10. The Spurs’ playoff streak is really going to die, isn’t it?
Man. This is really looking like the end of an era. They’re not out of it, but they’re five games behind the Grizzlies and in the 10th spot. Pop can’t go out like this, man.
11. How hard does Zion have to snap to win rookie of the year?
If we had to vote today it’d easily be Ja Morant. As great as Zion Williamson has been in 10 games, it’s still only 10 games. When he hits, say, 30? And he’s still averaging 22.1 points per game? That’s when we’ll at least have a conversation.
12. Why aren’t the Suns better?
Poor Devin Booker. At the start of the season it looked like the Suns were a legit playoff squad. Now? It’s probably time to build your draft board, Suns’ fans.
13. IS Buddy Hield gone?
The beef brewing between Buddy Hield and the Kings organization is just so Kings. First, they overpaid Hield. Then they benched him. Now, he wants out. There is absolutely no way this ends well.
14. What do the Wolves have to do to get Devin Booker?
D’Angelo Russell was the first piece. Karl-Anthony Towns was already in place. All that’s left? D Book. The littlest big 3 is almost intact.
Booker is already being asked about it.
15. The Warriors are really going to get the #1 pick, aren’t they?
Stephen Curry was fired up watching the 2020 NBA All-Star Game at home.
The 2020 edition of the NBA All-Star game had a different feel to it. In Chicago, the NBA switched up how the star-studded exhibition was decided. Each quarter was split up into stand-alone periods, with the winner getting $100,000 donated to charity.
The most exciting change came in the final period. The fourth quarter was played with no time; instead, the game was decided by a point total — similar to pick-up basketball.
The new format provided fireworks. A game known for showing off turned into a legitimate competition. All-Stars were passing the ball to get an efficient shot, taking charges and playing defense.
One of the key defensive moments came from the reigning Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo. The “Greek Freak” met LeBron James at the rim to send him away with an emphatic block. The swat was initially called goaltending, but after review, it was ruled a clean block. However, James had the last laugh when his team edged out Team Giannis, 157-156.
Curry’s absence from All-Star festivities didn’t stop him from tuning in. Ayesha Curry posted a story on her Instagram with her husband cheering after Antetokounmpo’s block on James.
Reports have targeted March for Curry’s return to the court from injury. The injured guard will have around 20 games with Golden State to knock off the rust before getting back to an All-Star campaign next season. Curry will have the chance to make his debut in the new All-Star Game format next year in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Lakers still have room to improve and refine areas of their style in this last stretch of the season.
The Los Angeles Lakers went into the All-Star break with the Western Conference’s top record, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis both playing at an MVP-caliber level.
James and Davis have led the Lakers in being one of the NBA’s top teams, but their squad still has room to grow as the regular season enters its last stretch.
With 29 games left, the Lakers have an opportunity to take their play to another level and refine the facets of their style that have helped them be successful. The Lakers will open the last portion of the regular season Friday against the Memphis Grizzlies in Los Angeles.
Kyle Kuzma must be more consistent scoring the ball
One of the Lakers’ glaring issues is their lack of scorers aside from James and Davis. Heading into the season, Kyle Kuzma was slated to be that third option, the player who could get buckets and add another wrinkle to the offense.
Kuzma hasn’t been the effective, consistent third scorer, though. Part of that is because of injuries. He missed the first four games of the season because of a foot injury he suffered before the season. Kuzma also missed five straight games in December because of an ankle injury.
This season Kuzma adjusting to coming off the bench has also affected his scoring output. He’s currently playing a career-low 24.7 minutes per game and scoring a career-low 12.6 points per game on 43.7% shooting from the field.
Despite his up-and-down season, Kuzma remains as the only player besides James and Davis averaging double figures in scoring. The Lakers rank 11th in bench scoring, per NBA.com.
As the Lakers play the rest of the regular season, they’ll need Kuzma to arise as a legitimate bucket-getter off the bench.
Kuzma’s scoring ability isn’t necessarily in question — he’s averaging 20.3 points in the six games he’s started this season. Consistency is what the Lakers need from the third-year forward.
When the Lakers gain quality scoring from Kuzma, they’re usually successful. According to Basketball Reference, the Lakers are 14-4 when Kuzma scores 15 or more points.
LeBron James will take sole possession of second place all-time for All-Star games played Sunday night.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is currently first in six statistical categories for All-Star game history, and on Sunday night, he will be a step closer to becoming first for another one.
A 16-time All-Star, James will play in his 16th All-Star game at the United Center in Chicago. According to ESPN Stats & Info, James will take sole possession of second place for All-Star games played, trailing only Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who played 18 in his Hall of Fame career.
James will pass Tim Duncan and the late Kobe Bryant for second on the list. Both Duncan and Bryant have been named as finalists for the 2020 Hall of Fame class, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.
The All-Star game will tip off at 8 p.m. EST, and it will be televised on TNT.
By appearing in the 2020 All-Star game, LeBron James will break a tie with Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant for the 2nd-most All-Star Games played in NBA history, behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (18).
He is already the all-time leader in pts and 3-pt FGs made in All-Star game history. pic.twitter.com/FPsfauyFol
A three-time All-Star game MVP, James has averaged 24.1 points per game and 5.9 assists in the midseason exhibition match. He is also the game’s all-time leader in points, 3-pointers made and field goals made.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis are the first Lakers duo to both score 30 points and grab 10 rebounds since the late Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol did so in 2008.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis continued to stake their claim for best duo in the NBA with their pair of quality performances Wednesday night against the Denver Nuggets.
James and Davis led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 120-116 overtime win over the Nuggets. According to Justin Kubatko of Stat Muse, James and Davis became the first pair of Lakers teammates to both score at least 30 points and grab 10 rebounds since Pau Gasol and the late Kobe Bryant accomplished the feat in March 2008.
James had a triple-double, scoring 32 points, grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing 14 assists. Davis scored 33 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. With the win, the Lakers went into the All-Star break with the best record in the Western Conference.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis are the first @Lakers duo to each record at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in the same game since Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol on Mar. 4, 2008. pic.twitter.com/6rfNYj0V1o
The Lakers are a franchise filled with historic duos. Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar helped lead the Lakers to five titles in the 1980s. Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal led the Lakers to three straight championships from 2000-2002. Bryant and Gasol were the top players on the Lakers’ championship teams in 2009 and 2010.
As the season continues, the Lakers will need more of James’ and Davis’ high-caliber play to remain atop the West. James and Davis are the only other pair of teammates besides Russell Westbrook and James Harden to rank in the top 15 of the league for points per game.
Los Angeles will play against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Staples Center on Feb. 21 in their first game back from the All-Star break.
The Warriors’ last five-games were all played away from the Bay Area since his passing. Following the NBA trade deadline, Golden State returned to their home, the Chase Center in San Francisco.
The first game since their return, the Warriors hosted Bryant’s team, the Los Angeles Lakers. Although time has passed, Golden State paid their respect to the late Lakers’ Most Valuable Player.
Starting with their outdoor arena video board, the Warriors displayed Bryant’s No. 8 and Gianna’s No. 2 basketball jersey as fans arrived at Chase Center.
Warriors pay tribute to Kobe and Gianna Bryant and seven other victims of fatal helicopter crash pic.twitter.com/Opt9bleoFN
The outdoor video board located in Golden State’s “Thrive City” in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood also displayed the names of all nine people involved in the tragic helicopter crash.
In the arena, the Warriors gave away black shirts with the Bryant’s jersey numbers of No. 8, No. 24 and No. 2 listed across the chest for those in attendance.
The Warriors shirt giveaway tonight paid tribute to Kobe and Gianna Bryant 💜💛
Before the game started, the Warriors played a video tribute to Bryant, featuring the moment he walked off the floor in Oracle Arena for the final time.
In the Golden State Warriors first game since the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry wore Bryant’s No. 24 jersey to the game versus the Lakers.
On Saturday, the Warriors had the opportunity to honor Bryant against his former team, the Los Angeles Lakers. The Warriors paid respect to Bryant by giving away T-Shirts that labeled both his No. 8, No. 24 and his daughter’s No. 2 jersey numbers.
The Warriors will pass out these shirts in honor of Kobe and Gianna Bryant on Saturday, their first home game since the helicopter crash.
Curry’s missed all but four games for the Warriors and won’t have the chance to honor Bryant with his play on the court. However, the two-time Most Valuable Player is progressing through his rehab and could return from his broken hand injury in March.
If things go as scheduled, Curry could be in line to play in Golden State’s final game against the Lakers on April 9 in Los Angeles if he’s able to return healthy from his broken hand injury.
One trade can swing the entire balance of power in the NBA. Last year’s Raptors are proof. No, I’m not talking about the Kawhi Leonard trade.
When they traded for Marc Gasol from the Grizzlies, the Raptors became a real title contender. That was a massive upgrade. They replaced a dinosaur, Jonas Valanciunas, with a modern big in Gasol who could shoot 3’s and protect the rim.
That swung things in the Raptors’ favor. It was an unconventional move — they were already a great team. But that put them over the top.
Every title contending team this year should be looking for that swing move. We have those moves right here for you.
The Lakers and Derrick Rose
Look, Pistons fans. I know your team wants a lottery pick back for Derrick Rose. In the same way, I, too, would love a chance to date Rihanna. Guess what? Ain’t never gonna happen.
No, the Pistons won’t get back the lottery pick – but Kyle Kuzma is a good enough prospect to get the job done. Now Lakers fans don’t have to watch Rajon Rondo dribble around in circles like a headless chicken before he throws it to Anthony Davis in some awkward position.
The Clippers and Andre Drummond
Now, I realize that Pistons fans will probably hate me for ripping their team to shreds. But let’s say the Clippers throw their 2020 first in the ring this time. This one makes a lot of sense!
The Clippers need size to deal with Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokic and Rudy Gobert in whatever order they come in. Well, Drummond has that. He’s also one of the best rebounders the league has ever seen. They’d have to give up a valuable wing defender in Mo Harkless, a prospect in Jerome Robinson and a late first but it’d be worth it to have a one-two punch at center with Drummond and Montrezl Harrell’s scoring punch coming off the bench.
The Nuggets and Jrue Holiday
The Nuggets will finally get a point guard that is actually a point guard. Jamal Murray is great but, fam, we know he absolutely does not need to be making decisions with the ball.
His decision tree should consist of only three decisions. They are: Shoot, pass the ball to Jokic, shoot again. Holiday helps him get there and would immediately be their best perimeter defender at guard.
The Bucks and Davis Bertans
As much as it pains me to send my sweet, sweet Latvian prince Davis Bertans anywhere but Washington, I must also admit that it makes too much sense not to do.
The Bucks would immediately upgrade here with Bertans over Ersan Ilyasova and could throw in that Pacers first round pick from the Malcolm Brogdon sign-and-trade this summer to sweeten the pot. It’s worth it. They need to prove to Giannis Antetokounmpo they want to win now. This is how you do it.
The Raptors and Dewayne Dedmon
It’s not a flashy move by any means. Dedmon isn’t a transcendent player, but he’d give the Raptors some much needed help in their front court behind Marc Gasol who has been injured this year.
They’d lose a bit of wing depth, but they wouldn’t be giving away players who were actually contributing big minutes. Their rotation would be pretty much the same.
The Celtics and Aron Baynes
BAYNES BYKE! The Celtics need an Embiid stopper for the playoffs and they know Baynes can do that for sure. It also shouldn’t take much to get him, either, on such a cheap deal.
He’s cooled off from three since the beginning of the season and the Suns are in tank mode at this point, or should be. They should be willing to move on from him.
Plus, I just want to put Devin Booker and Enes Kanter in the same locker room. Who doesn’t love to watch the world burn?
