When Markieff Morris was recently weighing free agent offers from a handful of teams, there was something that he liked most about the Thunder and the feedback he received.
It was the fact that he was recruited heavily by the team.
In the past, several players from the Thunder, including Russell Westbrook and Paul George, have been active in recruiting players to join the team in free agency and they have been quite effective.
Take, for instance, Nerlens Noel. When the center was a free agent last summer, Westbrook and George reached out to Noel to sell him on the culture of the team. Those efforts were said to have been a key reason why Noel agreed to sign with the Thunder.
Those recruiting efforts paid off once again with Morris after the Thunder officially announced the signing of the eight-year veteran Wednesday night in a press release.
As reporter Michael Kinney captured, Morris addressed why he chose the Thunder.
It was kind of like a college recruitment. When I talked to these guys, they believed in me a lot. I heard from multiple players, Sam [Presti], multiple coaches. That really drew me in more than the other teams.
Morris recently became a free agent after the New Orleans Pelicans waived him after acquiring the 6-foot-10 forward in exchange for Wesley Johnson and a second-round draft pick from the Washington Wizards.
The forward took part in his first practice with the Thunder Thursday afternoon as the team regrouped from the All-Star break. The Thunder resume play Friday night against the Utah Jazz and it appears likely Morris will make his debut then.
Morris missed some time this season in Washington with a neck injury but said Thursday that he was cleared to resume basketball activities two weeks ago and is ready to play.
I just came to be a vet, man. I came to try to help the team keep push toward the ultimate goal and that’s to win a championship. I’m just ready to play. I’m excited to be here. I know a bunch of guys on the team already and I’m ready to go.
By all accounts, it appears as though Morris will be a great addition for the Thunder as the group progresses toward the playoffs. It remains to be seen the role that he’ll have with the team but he is ready to contribute immediately.
The Thunder added Corey Brewer last year down the stretch and he proved to be a key addition so they are certainly hoping Morris will be, too.
