Jokic former teammate! Why can t Monte Morris stay in the NBA at the age of 30?

Brothers, do you know Monte Morris?

His NBA career may come to an end.

From European journalist Matteo Andreani, the European giant and Greek basketball club Olympiacos has provided Montemores with an important two-year contract.

It should be said that this is not the first time that Monte Morris has been associated with European teams. There has been news that La Liga teams Real Madrid and Barcelona are also paying attention to Monte Morris, who is unwilling to be in the NBA free market this summer, and playing in Europe is a practical choice.

Currently, the NBA new season training camp has only been opened for less than two weeks. Most free agents who have not found a job so far cannot escape a law - dish, and the same is true for Monte Morris.

Last season, Monte Morris joined the Suns with a basic salary contract, but he only played 45 games in total, averaging 12.7 minutes per game, scoring 5.2 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists, shooting percentage of 42.6%, three-point shooting percentage of 36.0%, and real shooting percentage of 54.6%.

Against the previous year, Morris played for the Pistons and the Timberwolves, and his performance was even worse:

-Additional period, averaged 4.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists per game, 18.2% of three-point shooting percentage, 39.8% of real shooting percentage, 39.8% of real shooting percentage, 5.1 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists per game, 42.4% of three-point shooting percentage, and 53.7% of real shooting percentage, 2}

Monte Morris' second round pick in 2017 was only 1.88 meters tall, playing as a double-level guard. The highlight was three-point and control error ability. The disadvantage was that he did not have offensive creativity and poor defense, so most teams could only serve as substitutes.

It should be noted that the Nuggets selected Monte Morris at that time, and after being selected, he played in Denver for a total of 5 seasons. In the first year of being selected by the Nuggets, Monte Morris played only 3 games, with a combined score of 9 points and 7 assists.

In the following three seasons, Morris slowly settled on the Nuggets' substitute and averaged 10+2+3 output per game. During this period, his three-pointers were relatively reliable in the team, and his shooting percentage was always around 38%-41%.

In the 2021-22 season, Morris was promoted to the starter and then handed over the strongest season of his career: he played in 75 games and started 74 games, averaged 29.9 minutes per game, scored 12.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists, with a shooting percentage of 48.4%/39.5%/86.9%, and a real shooting percentage of 58.3%.

At this point, I can't help but recall the Nuggets' 2021-22 season.

That year, due to Murray's serious injury, Porter Jr. only played 9 games, Gordon had just joined and did not evolve, and Monte Morris was actually the top four Nuggets player.

In addition to Gordon and Morris, other Nuggets players include: Wil Patton (averages 32.1 minutes per game in the season), Rivers Jr. (averages 22.1 minutes per game in the season), Campazzo (averages 18.2 minutes per game in the season), Forbes (averages 17.4 minutes per game in the season), Cousins, James Ennis, Jamie Chal, Dozier, Bolbol, Heyland, and Chanchar. Most of the above players are no longer playing in the NBA. Even if they are still playing, most of them are marginal figures on the team.

However, Jokic led this group of players to score 48 wins and 34 losses in the Western Conference, with an average of 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game, as well as the highest PER value of 32.85 in a single season. Then he was elected as an MVP, and his ability to guarantee him can be said to be extremely strong.

Back to Morris, in the summer of 2022, the Nuggets made a deal to send Patton and Monte Morris away and get the Wizards' Pope.

Later we learned that the Nuggets successfully won the championship in the first year of Pope, so to some extent, thanks to Morris' best performance in his career the year before - Morris also watched the game live in the finals G3 and hugged Jokic.

As for Morris himself, he actually maintained a certain level after joining the Wizards, averaging 10.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists per game, with only 1.0 turnovers, and a three-point shooting percentage of 39.5%.

But shortly after joining the Pistons, Monte Morris suffered a quadriceps strain. This injury was not so devastating in theory, but it did have a huge impact on him, directly turning from a weak starting team to a strong substitute end. Until now, it is very likely that he will say goodbye to the NBA and go to Europe.

In fact, it's only three years since Morris played his best season in the Nuggets. At that time, he was still a strong Western Conference team, but now he can't even get a basic salary.

Finally, I have to sigh at Jokic's ability. Not only is he outstanding in his personal strength, but he can also bring bonuses to his teammates. How many players will decline or have no ball to play after leaving him? Monte Morris, Pope, and Bruce Brown are all good examples. I am looking forward to what Porter Jr. can perform at the Nets next season.