Ahead of the 2020 NBA free agency period, Marcus and Markieff Morris — who are both unrestricted free agents — have signed with Wasserman for representation. Chafie Fields will be the lead agent for the Morris brothers.
Marcus signed a one-year, $15-million deal with the New York Knicks during last year’s free agency period and was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-team deal at the trade deadline. In 62 regular season games (43 for the Knicks, 19 for the Clippers), Marcus averaged 16.7 points and 5 rebounds per game and shot 40.8 percent from deep. His point- and rebound-per game averages dipped in the playoffs (11.8 points and 4.6 rebounds per game), but he elevated his play from three (47.5%).
Markieff started the season with the Detroit Pistons, after signing a two-year, $6.5-million deal in the offseason, but both parties agreed to a buyout of Markieff’s contract at the trade deadline. Shortly thereafter, Markieff signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. While Markieff did not light up the stat sheet during the 2020 NBA Playoffs, the former 2011 lottery selection played key minutes for the Lakers throughout their championship run, particularly when the team showcased their small-ball lineup with Anthony Davis at the center position.
As to the Morris brothers’ free agent prospects, it is not the best year to be a free agent as there are few teams that have significant cap space, assuming the salary cap is $109 million. Not to mention, while NBA teams spent nearly $4 billion during last year’s offseason, ESPN projects that this year’s spending will be $450 million.
As such, based on a multi-year deal, ESPN’s Bobby Marks estimated that Marcus will earn between $10 and $12 million per year while Markieff will earn between $4 and $6 million per year. Keep in mind, though, Marks acknowledged that some players, which may include the Morris brothers, could sign for more per year in the event they opted for a one-year deal, giving teams cap flexibility for the 2021 offseason in the process.
The Athletic’s John Hollinger estimated, by way of his formula BORD$ that “spits out a number that projects his dollar value for the coming season,” Marcus will earn $10.84 million per year whereas, in contrast to Marks’ estimation, Markieff will earn $2.6 million or less per year.