DETROIT (97.1 The Ticket) -- The Pistons have reportedly agreed to sign free agent forward Markieff Morris -- twin brother of ex-Piston Marcus -- to a two-year deal.
Morris, who spent last season with the Wizards and Thunder, figures to give the Pistons more depth in the paint, adding a bit of a safety net if Thon Maker does not develop at the center position, as they are hoping.
The Pistons will reportedly use the $3.6 million bi-annual exemption to sign Morris and the deal is reportedly for two years. The signing puts the Pistons at 14 players on their roster, leaving one spot open. Restricted by the salary cap, they are only eligible to use a veteran minimum contract to fill that slot. The deal was first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Source confirms that Markieff Morris will get the bi-annual exception of about $3.6M.That's huge for #Pistons, who have done well to improve the roster on a tight budget.
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) July 3, 2019Detroit agreed to sign veteran guards Derrick Rose and Tim Frazier earlier this week and had already traded for former Bucks guard Tony Snell. The now turn the attention to the post. Morris averaged 11.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in about 26 minutes per game with Washington last season before he was traded to Oklahoma City, where he saw limited playing time. He averaged 6.5 PPG and 3.8 RPG for the Thunder.
Morris battled a neck injury and played a career-low 58 games last season.
The 29-year-old and his brother both entered the league in 2011 out of Kansas. Markieff played a bigger impact earlier in his career and has maintained solid output in meaningful roles wherever he's gone. Marcus had lesser numbers early in his career, but took off once he got to Detroit, averaging 14.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG and 2.3 assists per game in two seasons with the Pistons. He was traded to Boston during the 2017 offseason.
