Knicks Invite Mook Morris To Camp

For the first time this century, talented veterans are willing to settle for non-guaranteed deals just for the opportunity to compete for a roster spot (and hopefully a ring) in New York.

After signing veteran shooting guard Landry Shamet on Saturday, the Knicks added another vet on Sunday evening, as New York announced they are welcoming back Marcus Morris.

Like Shamet, Morris agreed to an Exhibit 9 contract. Before we get into what Morris potentially brings to the table and how this weekend's moves could impact the Opening Night roster, let me provide some information on the format of these deals. 

Per the 676-page Collective Bargaining Agreement, Exhibit 9 contracts are NOT guaranteed and can only be a maximum of one year in length. It's also important to note that Morris/Shamet's money does not count against the salary cap until the start of the regular season.

The primary purpose of including Exhibit 9 language in an NBA contract is to protect the team from being on the hook for a player's full annual salary should that player suffer a significant injury before the start of the regular season. 

For instance, if Shamet or Morris were to go down with an Achilles injury during training camp, and their contract did not include an Exhibit 9 clause, the Knicks would be required to pay his salary until he was medically cleared (or the end of the 2024-25 season, whichever came first). Because their pacts have an Ex. 9 provision, New York could waive Shamet/Morris in that scenario and issue only a one-time payment of $15,000. (That $15k would count against the cap and luxury tax bill as a dead money charge). One other note: A team is prohibited from signing a player to an Exhibit 9 contract unless it already has at least 14 players already under contract (not including two-way deals) and can sign a maximum of six players to Exhibit 9 deals.

As you can see, there is no real downside to inviting these talented, respected veterans. New York is not committing to carrying either player into the regular season. And NY might not be done. As of today, the Knicks will have 20 players headed to training camp in South Carolina next month. Each team can take a maximum of 21 players to camp, so they can extend one more invite. 

If Shamet and/or Morris are on the team's roster on Opening Night (October 22, when NY heads to Boston), their contracts convert from Exhibit 9 deals to a standard non-guaranteed contract. At that point, their salary would begin to count against the salary cap and towards the luxury tax. The contracts would only become fully guaranteed if they were still on the roster as of January 10. The Knicks could also decide to guarantee the deals at any point before Jan. 10. 

So, what are the odds that Shamet or Morris will be on that final 15-man roster five weeks from now? 

As noted above, the Knicks currently have 14 players signed to guaranteed contracts. However, that does not mean all 14 will automatically be decked out in orange and blue in Boston on October 22nd.

It's possible a player such as Keita Bates-Diop, who came over from Brooklyn in the Mikal Bridges blockbuster and does not have an established relationship with Thibs, will be waived or traded over the next month. Or if Tyler Kolek impresses the coaching staff and shows he can step in and handle the backup PG duties, would New York consider parting ways with Cam Payne?    

As I detailed on Saturday, Shamet brings a very valuable skill to the battle for a roster spot: elite outside shooting. 

Morris can also knock down three-pointers but has a more well-rounded game and, possibly more importantly, supplies toughness and locker-room leadership. However, on the flip side, he celebrated his 35th birthday earlier this month and is in the twilight of his career.