Detroit Pistons trade Monte Morris to Timberwolves
The Detroit Pistons have traded guard Monte Morris to the Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic was first to report Wednesday. In exchange, the Pistons will be receiving Shake Milton, Troy Brown Jr. and one second-round pick.
The Timberwolves entered Wednesday in a four-way tie atop the Western Conference with the Oklahoma City Thunder, reigning champion Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers, who own the four-way tiebreaker in the West.
Morris was acquired by the Pistons in the offseason by the Washington Wizards in exchange for a second-round pick. Though he’s been limited to just six games this year after missing the first 43 with a quad injury. In those six games, he played just 68 minutes, averaging 4.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game; on a per-36-minute sample, it equates to 14.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
Once he finds his footing, Morris will be a very good lead guard to help stem the tide with Minnesota’s bench units, which have been more chaotic when Mike Conley heads to the bench. According to Cleaning The Glass, when Conley’s off the floor, its turnover rate spikes one percent (25th percentile) versus when he’s on in non garbage time situations.
Morris, 28, is in his seventh NBA season, spending his previous six with the Nuggets (five seasons) and Wizards; in every year outside of his rookie year (when he logged 25 total minutes), he’s been elite at taking care of the rock. For perspective, he’s graded in the 95th percentile or better (relative to other guards) in turnover rate, per CTG.
It’s not a “home run” move for Minnesota, especially since Morris’ legs may not be completely under him (yet). But once he gets fully acclimated, he should add to a quality bench unit that features Naz Reid, Kyle Anderson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. He’s an efficient offense presence; may I add he’s also a career 38.9 percent 3-point shooter (3.1 3PA) with a career 57.1 true-shooting percentage.
He’s also on an expiring contract (per Spotrac), and the Timberwolves will have his bird rights, allowing them to re-sign him while in the tax this upcoming offseason if they choose to. They didn’t have to give up a significant cost–fiscally or basketball-related–by acquiring a good stabilizer off the bench (when he’s healthy). Is this a good move? Let us know in the comments!
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