The Cleveland Cavaliers and Phoenix Suns are adding veteran players to provide leadership and depth as both teams look to make a final playoff push. Also, Donovan Mitchell suffered a concerning setback.
NBA Rumors: Marcus Morris, Isaiah Thomas, Donovan Mitchell and Anthony Davis, Plus More
Cavs Ink Marcus Morris
The Cleveland Cavaliers are signing Marcus Morris to a 10-day contract, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Charania added that Morris is expected to join the Cavs on Monday in time for their game.
Free agent Marcus Morris has agreed to a 10-day contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Morris is expected to be available for Monday’s Cavs game vs. Pacers. pic.twitter.com/WfqISwSJDb
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 17, 2024
Morris is a welcomed addition to a pretty banged-up frontcourt for a Cavaliers team, continuing a tough stretch of games. Morris was expected to join a playoff team after being bought out by San Antonio at the end of February. The Cavs are the fourth team for the 14-year veteran forward, whose last appearance in a game was over a month ago.
Morris has also previously been a member of the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers this year. He has posted 6.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.0 3-pointers with a shooting slash line of .439/.400/.861 in 17.2 minutes over 37 appearances for the 76ers.
Cleveland appears headed for its second straight playoff appearance for the second consecutive year. The Cavaliers sit in third place in the Eastern Conference with a 42-25 record. The Cavs are one game behind the Milwaukee Bucks and two-and-one-half games clear of fourth place New York. The Cavs have not made consecutive playoff appearances since the mid-2010s.
But Cleveland has hit a rough patch. Last night, the Cavs fell to Houston 117-103, marking their sixth loss in the previous 11 games. While the Cavs have big wins over Boston, Minnesota, and New Orleans over this 10-game stretch, they have also suffered setbacks to Brooklyn and Atlanta.
Cavs Injuries
The Cavaliers are also dealing with several injuries. The Cavs were again without Dean Wade, Max Strus, and Evan Mobley against the Rockets. Then Donovan Mitchell, playing just his second game since Feb. 29, suffered an injury setback.
Wade has missed three straight games with a knee ailment, though he could be back against the Pacers on Monday. Wade was questionable for last night before being downgraded. Strus, who has missed seven straight games, also could be back on Monday.
Meanwhile, Mobley and Ty Jerome expect to be out until at least March 22.
Morris is eligible to sign another 10-day contract once his current deal expires. However, he must sign a standard contract to qualify for the postseason.
Donovan Mitchell Injury
Mitchell returned to the court against New Orleans on March 13. He had missed seven games due to a knee injury but thought it was getting stronger. Mitchell was wrong.
According to Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Mitchell was very uncomfortable for most of the 26 minutes of his playing time and frequently made trips to the bench to consult with trainers. Mitchell finished the game with 13 points on 4 of 13 shooting, three rebounds, and assists.
Mitchell told Fedor that he is unlikely to play on Monday.
“Tried to hide it as much as I can. But it’s pretty obvious. It sucks. I thought I was ready. I’m not. I can’t fool myself. Just gotta get right again.”
#Cavs Donovan Mitchell's achy knee is still bothering him and it's going to cost him more games.
"Tried to hide it as much as I can. But it’s pretty obvious. It sucks. I thought I was ready. I’m not. I can’t fool myself. Just gotta get right again"https://t.co/2QdsajILF5
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) March 17, 2024
While Mitchell doesn’t know how much time he will miss, he said that he doesn’t expect to need surgery and and expressed optimism that he’ll be back to 100% before the end of the regular season.
“The one thing we don’t have time for is rest but that’s what you need is rest. Sit my ass down and take the proper approach because at the end of the day it’s April that we are getting ready for. Tried to hide it as much as I can. But it’s pretty blatant and obvious. It sucks. I’m pissed off. But I trust these guys. Gonna go out there and do their thing. I will get right. And then be ready to go.
“… I’m a very eager person. I want to be out there. I have no doubt I will be fine. Everybody else believes the same thing. It’s not a concern from that standpoint. It’s more me fighting my own battle.”
Cleveland is 9-9 in games that Mitchell has sat out this season.
Anthony Davis Is Questionable for Monday’s Game Against the Hawks
The Los Angeles Lakers (36-32) fell to 10th in the Western Conference with their 128-121 setback to the Golden State Warriors (35-31). However, the Lakers are most concerned about Anthony Davis’ health.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Davis played just 12 minutes against the Warriors before being ruled out due to an eye contusion.
McMenamin said that Davis’ injury occurred in the first quarter when Trayce Jackson-Davis accidentally hit him in the face while making a layup. He added that Davis is dealing with impaired vision, and his eye was swollen shut. Davis will be monitored today, and then a decision about whether he can play Monday against Atlanta will be made.
Anthony Davis’ vision was impaired and his eye was swollen shut after the contact, a source familiar with the injury told ESPN. Davis will be monitored overnight and Sunday to determine his availability Monday against Atlanta
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 17, 2024
Davis has only missed four games this season. But the Lakers are just 1-3 in those contests, with all three losses being by double-digits.
If Davis misses any time, Jaxson Hayes is slated to see an increased role. Hayes finished with seven points and a season-high 12 rebounds in 28 minutes against the Warriors.
Phoenix Suns News
As previously reported, the Phoenix Suns are adding Isaiah Thomas to a 10-day contract. Thomas recently joined the G-League Salt Lake City Stars, where he averaged 32.5 points, 5.2 assists, and 6.2 3-pointers in four games. His shooting slash line was .407/.446/.909.
Thomas is expected to eventually earn a standard contract with the Suns, filling their 15th spot, per John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. Gambadoro added that Thomas is unlikely to be a rotational player for the Suns, however, he serves as an excellent insurance piece.
Isaiah Thomas is coming to Phoenix on a 10-day contract per a report but the expectation is that he will take the Suns final roster spot. I would doubt he cracks the 8-9 man playoff rotation so more insurance policy if one of the guards would get injured.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) March 17, 2024
Thomas is a veteran guard expected to provide leadership and scoring punch to the second unit when called upon. The 35-year-old has averaged 17.7 points and 4.8 assists in 550 career NBA games. He is a career 43.4% shooter from the field and 36.2% from the 3-point line. Thomas’ best season was 2016-17 when he was selected to the All-Star game and finished fifth in MVP voting.
While Phoenix has NBA title aspirations, the Suns are sixth in the Western Conference at 39-28. Part of the Suns’ issues this season have been injuries. The Suns have just four players who have played at least 60 games, with Jusuf Nurkic appearing in a team-high 63. Overall, The Suns have used 21 players and 20 starting lineups.
If Thomas is not going to be a major part of the Suns’ second unit, who will? Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic believes the core of the Suns’ second five will consist of Eric Gordon, Royce O’Neale, Bol Bol, and Drew Eubanks.
