Paul George may be joining a familiar face in Philadelphia.
The 76ers are considering signing George’s former Clippers teammate and Philadelphia native, Marcus Morris Sr., as part of a roster restructuring. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Morris reportedly has numerous suitors, including the Pistons, Spurs, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Heat, Mavericks and Hornets.
George agreed to a four-year, $212 million max contract early in free agency, making him the centerpiece of the 76ers’ acquisitions, but Philadelphia is now looking for ways to improve its margins.
Morris played alongside George with the Clippers for four seasons from 2019-2023, so having a familiar face there could help George with the transition.
The Philadelphia Inquirer noted that the former Kansas University star could provide a toughness that the 76ers may have lacked during their first-round playoff loss to the Knicks this spring.
The Knicks ultimately looked like a tougher team than the 76ers, making key plays at key times and stepping up when it mattered.
Ironically, the 76ers could have acquired Morris’ toughness during last season’s playoffs, but instead traded him to the Spurs in a three-team trade that also brought sharpshooter Buddy Hield to the City of Brotherly Love.
The Spurs quickly released the veteran, and he joined the Cavaliers and made a run to the playoffs, only to lose in the second round to the eventual champion Boston Celtics.
Morris averaged 6.4 points and 2.7 rebounds while playing for the 76ers and Cavaliers last season.
“At 6-foot-8 and 218 pounds, his high basketball IQ, dedication and Philadelphia toughness were on full display here,” the paper reported. “He made the Sixers a better team not only through his play but also through his leadership on and off the court.”
The 76ers have been one of the busiest teams in the NBA during free agency, trying to keep up with the intense competition that has engulfed the Eastern Conference.
Philadelphia retained wing Kelly Oubre and acquired veteran guard Eric Gordon and rebounding maestro Andre Drummond, but notably lost Tobias Harris to the Pistons.
The 76ers’ active play has seen them overtake the Knicks in championship odds for the 2024-25 season, giving Philadelphia the fourth-best odds on FanDuel and second in the Eastern Conference behind only the Celtics.
