Many would sympathize with Luka Doncic when he was without any warnings traded from the Dallas Mavericks. The Lakers became an unchartered destination and one he wasn’t prepared to call home. Doncic felt it was April Fool’s that’s how shocked he was. But it wasn’t just his life that was unsettled. Notably, Markieff Morris was traded along with him too, and the veteran wasn’t in a great spot when he heard about it.
His brother, Marcus recently opened up about that day. The now Lakers forward didn’t know he was to join Doncic. And at that point, Morris wasn’t ready to move again. “I think he might retire actually because he was telling me like man I can’t do this no more,” the elder Morris twin revealed. But then came the surprise.
Markieff Morris found out he was part of a trade that would send Luka Doncic to the Lakers. Their reaction wasn’t twin telepathy, but it was similar. They wondered “What the f**k,” Marcus Morris told Kevin O’Connor.
As exhausted as Markieff Morris was from moving, knowing it was back to LA and with Luka Doncic served as motivation. All of sudden the leadership that the 35-year-old perceived as “babysitting” could have meant something meaningful. Moreover, it’s the Lakers! Saying no to a big market franchise at such a stage was almost irresistible. “He said hell yeah I’m going to Lakers,” Marcus Morris revealed his brother’s immediate thoughts.
Mar 10, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) brings the ball up court against the Brooklyn Nets during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Morris knows he won’t be playing an active role in the rotations. But in the twilight of his career, it’s probably the better alternative. Moreover, he gets to spend time in Los Angeles. Barring taxes the lifestyle is worth it from a personal and family perspective. At heart though they are competitors.
And so Marcus Morris Sr. has a wild thought for his brother. “I’m thinking to myself bro you know you might just have one another championship. Like literally you really might just have won a championship,” he said when trying to gather the enormity of the trade. Also, he thinks the Lakers didn’t just take on Markieff Morris as a fringe player.
The Lakers were vigilant for Luka Doncic and Morris
Markieff Morris was part of the memorable 2020 Lakers team that won a championship. So after a short time, he understood the culture of togetherness that exists while being in LA. That’s the reason Jeanie Buss who shares regrets about breaking up that squad apologized to Morris for doing so.
But a reunion wasn’t on the mind for the Lakers. Marcus Morris feels they wanted his brother because they knew about the influence he could have on Luka Doncic.
“I think a lot of people don’t see is that Kieff and Luka have a really good relationship like a really good relationship. So I think that they probably noticed that and they wanted you know I mean Luka to feel you know to feel better to go into a new place where you have somebody that’s you know that’s been a teammate,” he said on The Kevin O’Connor Show.
It’s still a major adjustment. But Luka Doncic wasn’t alone. Having Morris and Kleber meant there were at least some familiar faces to work with. Additionally, even Dorian Finney-Smith made the transition easier. Now, the Slovenian has revived strong hopes for the Laker Nation. The Purple and Gold have indeed become title contenders.
Maybe Marcus Morris Sr. wasn’t that far off. This could amount to another championship. Or maybe not, but at the least it won’t leave any regrets for Markieff Morris on extending his career even if it is one more year.
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