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Washington Wizards: Markieff Morris 2018-19 NBA season preview

By Matt H

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 29: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards, John Wall #2, Markieff Morris #5, Otto Porter Jr. #22 and Bradley Beal #3 talk during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on January 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 29: Marcin Gortat #13 of the Washington Wizards, John Wall #2, Markieff Morris #5, Otto Porter Jr. #22 and Bradley Beal #3 talk during the second half of a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on January 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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The final starter for the Washington Wizards’ 2018-19 NBA season preview is Markieff Morris. What does he need to contribute to help the Wizards win?

Analyzing the performance of Markieff Morris for the Washington Wizards last season induced one basic reaction: He’s an average player on the decline. In a league where teams are shifting more towards elite athletes at the power forward position, Morris bucks the trend.

Today’s stretch-4s can move out to the perimeter, shoot 3-pointers, handle the ball and provide above-average defense against opposing big men and guards as small-ball centers. Facing these types of players on a nightly basis make it increasingly harder for Morris, who definitely doesn’t fit either category, to contribute at a high level given the current state of his declining play.

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity, but what opportunities exist for Morris and how can he take advantage of them?

To figure out where Morris can improve, you have to understand what he already provides for the Washington Wizards. Last season he put up 11.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, a 13.2 Player Efficiency Rating (PER), a ton of technical fouls and was the subject of everyone’s favorite game, “name that Morris twin“.

Not bad, not great, just kind of… average.

Let’s be honest, given the offensive emphasis on the Wizards’ “Big 3” of John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter Jr., Morris doesn’t necessarily have to score a lot of points for Washington to win basketball games.

So if he doesn’t need to score a lot, and at this point he probably couldn’t if he wanted to, how can he increase his value? The answer lies in the vacated role left behind by a certain Polish Hammer when he was traded this offseason.

Marcin Gortat didn’t fill the box score for the Wizards, but he did provide the team with all of the subtleties required from a modern NBA big man to run an efficient game plan.

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From his ability to switch on defense, set screens, roll to the rim, pass the ball and limit turnovers, Gortat elevated the Wizards in all of the ways casual fans often overlook and under-appreciate. His departure immediately makes the Wizards worse and creates a need for someone to replace the missing pieces of his game.

Well, guess what Wizard fans? Sorry to break the news, but Dwight Howard is not going to pick up the slack.

Here lies the opportunity for Markieff Morris.

In order to maintain fluidity on both sides of the floor, Gortat’s previous duties now fall squarely on the shoulders of Morris. If he’s up to the task, his value should dramatically increase.

How do we measure that value? Easy, just take a quick look at each player’s win shares, which estimates the number of wins contributed by an individual player.

Last year, Gortat had fairly pedestrian counting stats overall, averaging 8.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, but he had 4.9 win shares due to the other areas he impacted the game. In comparison, Morris was much better offensively, but had a lower number of win shares at 3.3.

By assuming Gortat’s previous workload, since we all know Howard can’t and won’t, Morris should definitely see an improvement in his win shares if he buys in and fills the void.

The final 2018-19 prediction for Markieff Morris? Averages of 12.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and a doubling of his win shares, up to around 6.5.

What if Morris doesn’t buy in?

Next. Complete 2018 offseason grades for all 30 NBA teams. dark

The good news is Keef should still see the same offensive numbers. The bad news is the Wizards will definitely see a drop in the most important number of all — wins.

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