New Orleans Pelicans: 2 Free Agents Chosen by the Readers

Strengths: 3-Point shooting, toughness, defense, team chemistry

Weaknesses: Playmaking, ball-stopping, team chemistry

Key Statistics: 43.9 percent 3-point shooting on 6.1 attempts per game

How he fits with the Pelicans:

The Morris Twins have been known for their tough style of play since they entered the league.

The two brothers from Philly like to stir things up and both of have been on the receiving end of plenty of technicals and ejections, often for stupid stuff like this:

Marcus Morris is one of those players who does his best to get in the head of the other guys, to get them out of their game and playing with emotion. And he’s good at it:

The problem with this kind of stuff is that it is great when your team is winning, but when the team is losing, it can become a festering cancer in the locker room.

This is why we listed “team chemistry” as both a strength and weakness for Marcus Morris. When things are going well, he’s a tough, fiery leader and when they aren’t, his maelstrom of emotions can erode a team.

All fighting aside, Marcus Morris was enjoying the best season of his career for the Knicks before being traded to the Clippers just before the hiatus.

Morris was averaging 19.6 points a game while shooting 43.9 percent from behind the arc on 6.1 attempts per game.

Morris can play both forward positions and has the strength and toughness to defend larger players in the post.

His toughness, volume and accuracy from 3-point range would make him a nice fit on the New Orleans Pelicans, who lack all of those things on the wing.

The Pelicans desperately need a 3-and-D wing who can shoot the three and add the defensive identity and toughness the team currently lacks.

Morris can be a bit of a black hole and ball stopper on offense, but wouldn’t be asked to do nearly as much on the New Orleans Pelicans as he was doing on the Knicks.

It’s really just a question of salary and whether the New Orleans Pelicans want to put up with Morris’ hot head.

He’s making $15 million this season and his 3-point shooting may be enough to get him another fat contract from someone, even though he is now 30 years old.

Brother Markieff Morris, once considered the better of the two, might be a cheaper option and brings many of the same qualities, including the temper.

If the price is right, Morris’ attitude, toughness and shooting could be assets to the New Orleans Pelicans.

The NBA is in uncharted waters, but we at Pelican Debrief are committed to bringing you continued coverage of the New Orleans Pelicans.

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