Spurs Pull Offer to Waffling Marcus Morris and Sign Trey Lyles Instead While Knicks Swoop in
By Scott Rogust
Over a week ago, it looked like the San Antonio Spurs secured Marcus Morris to a two-year contract.
However, things changed after their verbal agreement, as Morris reneged on the deal, opting to sign a one-year, $15 million contract with the New York Knicks after Reggie Bullock's questionable medicals opened up some more money there.
As expected now, Morris will sign a one-year deal with New York, per sources. https://t.co/ItulNCc1dn
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 11, 2019
After the Knicks essentially spent all of their cap space in the first 20 hours of free agency, the team found some extra money. The team and Bullock restructured their deal, allowing them to find room to squeeze in Morris. Bullock can earn up to $4.8 million.
The one-year $15M contract for Marcus Morris in New York now has the team right at the salary cap. New York still has the $4.8M room exception available and now have 14 players on guaranteed contracts. https://t.co/96kr5Ez5JO
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) July 11, 2019
Based off the Knicks depth chart, Morris will split minutes with New York's lucrative free agent in Julius Randle at the power forward position, with plenty of other PF energy behind both of them.
Morris, who last season with the Boston Celtics recorded 13.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, will bring a veteran presence to the young Knicks squad.
Now, with Morris out of the picture, the Spurs have signed former Denver Nuggets power forward Trey Lyles to a two-year deal.
Spurs have pulled offer to Marcus Morris and agreed to a deal with free agent Trey Lyles, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 11, 2019
Lyles was originally a restricted free agent with Denver, who signed him to a qualifying offer. However, after acquiring Jerami Grant from the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Nuggets rescinded their offer to Lyles, making him an unrestricted free agent.
With Denver having an embarrassment of riches at the forward position, Lyles has a better opportunity to earn quality minutes with the Spurs. Last season, Lyles averaged 8.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 17.5 minutes.