After Marcus Morris spurned the Spurs for the New York Knicks, Gregg Popovich is voicing his frustration with how things unfolded.
Marcus Morris made his first appearance in a New York Knicks uniform on Monday in Westchester. The veteran forward was ready to sign with the Spurs this summer, but a re-work of Reggie Bullock’s deal opened up money for the Knicks to go after Morris.
San Antonio head coach Gregg Popovich is still seething over Morris backing out to sign with New York.
And Popovich on losing Davis Bertans and the Marcus Morris situation … said it was handled “unprofessionally on a couple different level” #Spurs #Knicks @TheAthleticNBA pic.twitter.com/rNomm3H5KJ
— Jabari Young (@JabariJYoung) September 30, 2019
“It was more than difficult to lose Davis [Bertans],” Popovich told reporters. “Let’s just say that was an unfortunate situation that was handled unprofessionally on a couple of different levels. We made that move to make the signing that we did and got blindsided.”
Popovich is referring to a three-team trade that sent sharpshooting big man Davis Bertans to the Washington Wizards. Bertans was a key piece for the Spurs and he was traded to facilitate the Morris signing.
When asked if Morris reached out to the Spurs to explain the change of heart, Popovich only needed two words.
“Not really.”
Morris was asked about his last-second change to sign with the Knicks, but he chose not to go into too many details.
Marcus Morris says his free agency didn't go like he planned and that he committed early. He cited "unknown" issues. He committed to the Spurs but then signed with the Knicks. Says he wanted to be closer to Philly, his hometown. pic.twitter.com/H72YRC0ERW
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) September 30, 2019
“A lot of those decisions came off of unknown sources and unknown situations,” Morris said. “I kind of committed very early before I really wanted to. New York came about and I saw the opportunity to be on the east coast, in the Mecca.”
Morris, a native of Philadelphia, also cited his desire to be close to home for his reason for backing out on the Spurs.
It should be noted that Popovich’s comments came after Morris spoke to the media. The Knicks and Spurs won’t have to wait long to see each other this season. The two sides will open their seasons in San Antonio on Oct. 25.
