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Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Last updated: 9/30/2019
Summary
Morgan has been a productive G-League player, but hasn't been able to get consistent rotation minutes for the Jazz. Morgan started a couple playoff games for the Jazz in the Orlando Bubble in 2020, but that was more out of desperation by the Jazz than anything specific that Morgan was giving them.
At 6'8", Morgan is a bit of a tweener. He's not big enough to be a center, especially considering he's not bouncy enough to be a rim protector on defense or a lob threat on offense. He can stretch the floor a little bit, but isn't a dangerous shooter. He's also not the quickest defender either, making it difficult for him to defend on the perimeter. If he can improve his jump shot, he could play a similar role that Mo Speights played for years.
Cap Considerations
Morgan will be a restricted free agent with a $1.9 million cap hold and Qualifying Offer, and the Jazz will have his Early Bird rights. However, the Jazz may not tender him a QO, which would make him an unrestricted free agent. If the Jazz re-sign Morgan using the Early-Bird Exception, they could offer him a starting salary of up to 105% of the average salary this past season (roughly $10 million), which would be more than enough.
Since Morgan will only have two years of service, he will be subject to the Gilbert Arenas provision. This means that any offer sheet he signs with a team besides Utah can have a starting maximum salary of $9.5 million, but the third and potentially fourth years of that contract can have a large jump (up to the max). His cap hit would then be the average salary over the life of the contract.
If the Jazz match, they could choose for his cap hit to either be his actual salary per season or the average over the life of the contract, provided the average fits within the Early Bird Exception. I do not expect this to come into play for Morgan, as I think any offers for him would fit within the full Non-Taxpayer MLE. There's also a chance that Morgan ends up settling for the minimum.
Potential Teams: Jazz, Nuggets, Pacers, Thunder, Pistons
Predicted Contract: 1-year, $1.7 million (non-guaranteed) with the Jazz
Actual Contract: 1-year, $1.7 million (non-guaranteed) with the Celtics
Morgan signed a training camp deal with the Celtics, and will fight for one of the final couple roster spots.
Last updated: 9/11/2021
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