The Houston Rockets opted not to claim recently waived forward Markieff Morris, allowing him to sign with the rival Los Angeles Lakers after clearing waivers on Sunday afternoon.
Using a Traded Player Exception (TPE), Houston had the financial means to claim Morris’ prior $3.2-million contract off waivers. Furthermore, the Rockets are far enough beneath the NBA’s luxury-tax line that they could have added Morris without going into tax territory.
Nonetheless, even though they’ve shown interest in Morris in the recent past, the Rockets chose not to make a claim.
Now 30 years old, the 6-foot-8 Morris is averaging 11.0 points (39.7% 3-point shooting) and 3.9 rebounds in 22.5 minutes per game this season.
Some had suggested that the Rockets might claim Morris as a means of blocking the Lakers, who are among their chief competition in the Western Conference. However. it may not have been worth it for GM Daryl Morey to go against the wishes of Morris and his agency representation if the only use for him in Houston would have been as emergency depth.
Passing on the opportunity to add Morris would seem to be a vote of confidence in newcomer Jeff Green, since both Morris and Green would be centers-only in Houston’s small-ball scheme.
In two outings with the Rockets, the 6-foot-8 Green is averaging 9.5 points and 3.5 rebounds in 19 minutes per game. He’s shooting 77.8% from the field and 66.7% on 3-pointers, albeit in a very small sample.
Green is currently on a 10-day contract, which expires next weekend. But assuming he continues to play well as the backup center behind P.J. Tucker, it appears very likely that Green’s deal will be extended. The fact that Morey passed on the chance to add a proven veteran, such as Morris, at the same position offers even more evidence of their intentions.
