Dallas Mavs Preseason: How Important is Markieff Morris' Veteran Presence?

After re-signing with the Dallas Mavericks following a mid-season trade, Markieff Morris says he always had plans to return in free agency.

When the Dallas Mavericks acquired Kyrie Irving prior to last season's trade deadline, they also received veteran forward Markieff Morris in return.

And though the 12-year veteran might not have played much of a role after landing in Dallas, the two sides agreed to continue their partnership going into the 2023-24 season, as Morris signed a partially guaranteed one-year, $3.2 million deal to return to the Mavs. 

The Mavs waited until right before training camp in mid-September to re-sign Morris, using their final roster spot to do so. With the signing, they add another veteran presence to the end of head coach Jason Kidd's bench. During Mavs Media Day, Morris said returning to Dallas was always his plan heading into the offseason.

Forward Marcus Morris poses for the camera at Mavs Media Day / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

"I think I said that before the year was ended that I was coming back here," Morris said. "It was a no brainer."

In 27 games last season with Brooklyn, Morris averaged 3.6 points and 2.2 rebounds while shooting 40.8 percent from downtown. In eight games in Dallas, Morris averaged 4.5 points and 1.5 rebounds while shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from 3-point range.

What Morris brings to the the locker room and as a veteran mentor likely stretches far longer than what he'll provide the Mavs on the floor. And though he likely won't see much playing time this coming season, Morris' experience and attitude will provide a toughness that Dallas has lacked over the last few seasons. We'll see how much of a difference he actually makes soon, as the 2023-24 season begins two weeks from today.

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