It’s not the deal New Orleans Pelicans fans or the entire NBA world have been waiting for. But on the eve of the trade deadline, New Orleans has acquired veteran forward Markieff Morris from the Washington Wizards.
This report comes to us via Shams Charania of the Athletic.
The Wizards are trading Markieff Morris to the Pelicans, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 7, 2019
Obviously in sell-off mode following the trade of Otto Porter Jr. earlier in the day, the Wizards figured that Morris could net them some sort of an asset.
As it relates to the Pelicans, they pick up a pretty solid veteran in Morris who is averaging 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds on the season. Morris, 29, has been sidelined since late December with neck stiffness. He’s set to become a free agent this offseason. This was more a cap move than anything else for New Orleans.
In return, the Wizards will receive the expiring contract of Wesley Johnson and a second-round pick. This moves helps Washington from a luxury tax perspective.