According to Shams Charania, the Timberwolves will sign T.J. Warren to a 10-day contract later this week. While the offer is contingent on Warren passing his physical exam, this is essentially a done deal.

Charania notes that the Timberwolves have been “monitoring” the former Pacers and Suns forward all season long.

Warren hasn’t played at all this season, but the 30-year-old, 6-foot-8 forward has shown the ability to be an excellent scorer in the past. This includes averaging a career-high 19.6 points per game in 2018. He averages 14.6 PPG in his career, with a 35.4% 3PT rate across eight seasons. If he can regain that form, Warren can certainly help this Wolves team, but he has just ten days to show what he can do.

While Warren’s addition has the potential to be an impact signing, what does it mean for the Wolves’ noted interest in Marcus Morris, who was recently let go from the San Antonio Spurs?

T.J. Warren Signing Has Zero Impact On Marcus Morris

The Minnesota Timberwolves signed T.J. Warren? But what about Marcus Morris? He was waived by the Spurs on Thursday, which means the 48-hour window to claim his contract will expire at some point on Saturday.

This means he can then negotiate a new contract with any team he likes, including the Timberwolves.

Warren’s addition does nothing to impact Minnesota’s ability to sign Morris too. You might recall the Timberwolves signing Justin Jackson to a 10-day contract back on February 22. On March 3, his time will be up, unless the Timberwolves sign him to a second temporary contract.

Either way, the Timberwolves can afford to keep Jackson and add Warren, as they actually have two open roster spots at the moment. This additional spot opened after trading Troy Brown Jr. and Shake Milton to the Detroit Pistons for Monte Morris.

So, there’s a scenario where the Wolves add Warren and Morris to the roster. If so, it likely means Warren is competing with players like the aforementioned Lance Stephenson, who’s on Minnesota’s G-League team down in Iowa, and two-way player Luka Garza. If the Wolves want Garza to be eligible for postseason play, they’d have to convert his two-way deal to a full contract by April 15th, when rosters are set for the playoffs.

For now, they’ll get a chance to examine Warren while still evaluating Stephenson, Garza, and Daishen Nix (two-way contract) while determining who deserves to make the playoff roster.

Marcus Morris has agreed to a contract buyout with the San Antonio Spurs to become a free agent, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The productive veteran forward secures playoff eligibility and is now candidate to join a postseason contender. pic.twitter.com/QuBtdE1yuG

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 29, 2024

According to Darren Wolfson (SKOR North), the delayed buyout was mostly due to money reasons. The contract that Morris just agreed to settle at a fraction of the price of what was left on it was for $17 million per season and staying employed by the Spurs meant he got to collect on those game checks for every night he was on the San Antonio roster.

Will the Minnesota Timberwolves sign Marcus Morris?

But that’s not all that Doogie had to say today on the Mackey & Judd show. He reported this morning that there was optimism this buyout would happen today or tomorrow. Remember, Morris’ former teammate, Patrick Beverley, has already reported that he’s leaning toward signing with the Wolves.

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That still appears to be the expectation, now that the buyout is complete. It’s believed that Minnesota has been quiet in the buyout market because they’ve been waiting for Morris.

“The idea would be that Marcus Morris would play in the playoffs for the Wolves. So for that to happen, the Spurs and Morris would have to come to some sort of agreement by Friday. But I’m telling you one person with the Wolves, let’s just say there’s still some hope.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd (SKOR North)

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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.