Pat Bev Says Marcus Morris ‘Leaning Towards’ Signing with Minnesota Timberwolves

While most were enjoying the final minutes of their Super Bowl parties and bars around the country were starting to kick patrons out, after yet another successful early February Sunday night, former Minnesota Timberwolves guard, Patrick Beverley, was working.

Related: Doc Rivers in Awe of Timberwolves; ‘Nobody is Laughing About that Trade Anymore’

No, not at his basketball job. Now a Milwaukee Buck, Bev’s day job duties as an NBA basketball player start back up today, just like yours. Instead, Pat used his wildly successful podcast, The Pat Bev Pod, to break some news regarding a former teammate and one of his former teams.

Pat Bev: Marcus Morris “leaning towards” Timberwolves

According to the Pat Bev Pod Twitter account at 12:07 Monday morning, Marcus Morris — who was just bought out by the Philadelphia 76ers — is “leaning towards signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves”. Morris and Beverley have played together with multiple NBA teams, including this season with the Sixers.

Seasoned Forward & Offensive Threat Marcus Morris is leaning towards signing with the Minnesota Timberwolves- Per sources

His veteran presence will provide a winning culture to any team looking for a playoff boost. pic.twitter.com/DQIBIsgLoi

— Pat Bev Pod (@PatBevPod) February 12, 2024

Morris started all 119 of the games he played for the Los Angeles Clippers during each of the past two seasons. 2021-22 was one of the best in his career, averaging 15.2 points per game, on 12.8 shots (2nd highest attempts average in his career), to go along with 4.4 rebounds.

Marcus Morris’ tough 2023-24 season

But his usage dropped significantly last season, even while still a starter in LA. His shots dropped to under 10 per game, and his points went with it (11.2 PPG). In the offseason, Morris signed with the 76ers, to come off the bench, a role he hasn’t played since 2020-21.

About 1/3 of Marcus Morris’ career has been as a bench player and he has often thrived in that role. Back in 2020-21 in LA, Morris started only 29 of the 54 games he played. But he still averaged over 26 minutes per game and, when on the floor, he was a problem, shooting 47% from 3PT land, with a .592 true shooting percentage.

Marcus Morris Catch-and-Shoot 3P%, last 5 seasons (C&S 3PA/36 MP)

2023-24: 43.1% (4.1)
2022-23: 36.6% (5.1)
2021-22: 37.6% (4.8)
2020-21: 49.8% (6.1)
2019-20: 42.5% (4.1)

Total: 41.9% (425/1015) pic.twitter.com/lrBiCYs8st

— Timberwolves Clips (@WolvesClips) February 12, 2024

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That wasn’t the case in Philly, where he was getting just 17.2 minutes per game, the lowest since his rookie season back in 2011-2012 with the Houston Rockets. He was just 22 years old. Now, he’s 34.

If Marcus Morris does indeed sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves, what guy are they getting? With Monte Morris (unrelated) already on roster, where is Marcus Morris going to find minutes on one of the most talented and deepest rosters in the NBA?

If you trust Patrick Beverley, it appears we are about to find out. But with all the buyout names that were floating around Tim Connelly and the Wolves, this feels like a rather underwhelming get. Hopefully, I’m wrong.