Knicks bring Marcus Morris Sr. to training camp, get shot at final roster spot

Because almost everyone has a fully guaranteed contract, NBA training camps often lack the kind of “Hard Knocks” drama. Everything is set in stone before camp even begins.

New York will be the exception this season. The Knicks have 14 fully guaranteed contracts, and the battle for the final roster spot just got a lot more interesting. The Knicks have announced the signing of veteran floor-stretching big man Marcus Morris Sr.

Earlier this week, New York has signed veteran shooting guard Landry Shamet to a non-guaranteed contract to allow him to come in and compete for that final roster spot. The Knicks also have former Orlando first-round pick Chuma Okeke coming to training camp.

Morris, Shamet and Okeke are vying for the final spot on the Knicks’ roster (the Knicks could also opt to let them all go and keep that spot open, saving money and giving them more roster flexibility at the trade deadline).

Morris may have an advantage in that race. First, he’s played in New York before, spending much of the 2019-20 season with the team. Second, New York is thin in the front court behind Mitchell Robinson, and if Morris can prove he can still make 3-pointers and contribute defensively at age 35, he’ll fill a need.

Last season, Morris split time between Philadelphia and Cleveland, averaging 6.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per game, playing just under 17 minutes per game, mostly off the bench. He shot 40.3% from 3, but struggled somewhat on defense.

It’s going to be an interesting training camp for New York next month.