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2022 Free Agents - Juwan Morgan

Summary
Morgan has been a productive G-League player, but hasn't been able to get consistent rotation minutes in the NBA. 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, hitting just under 34% from three in the G-League. 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, or possibly someone like JaMychal Green.
 
Cap Considerations
Morgan has a $1.8 million team option for 2023-2024, which is non-guaranteed even if the Celtics pick up this option, and if the Celtics decline this option he will be a restricted free agent with a $2.1 million cap hold and Qualifying Offer, and Non-Bird Rights. Using his Non-Bird rights, the Celtics would only be able to offer a starting salary of $2.1 million.

However, if the Celtics decline his option it likely means that they would not have interest in re-signing him, as there would be no benefit to doing so versus just picking up the option. Therefore, if they decline his option they most likely will not give him a QO, and thus he would be an unrestricted free agent.

Other teams would then have multiple ways to sign Morgan as even teams without cap space could use any of the Non-Taxpayer MLE, Taxpayer MLE, Room MLE, or Bi-Annual Exception to sign him. If he hits free agency, Morgan would likely only have offers for the minimum, and may not even get fully-guaranteed offers.

Potential Teams: Nets, Celtics, Pistons, Trailblazers, Knicks

Predicted Contract: 1-year, $1.9 million (non-guaranteed) with the Nets

Actual Contract: Not waived: $1.8 million with the Celtics

Morgan's contract was guaranteed in order to facilitate the Malcolm Brogdon, which is fortunate for Morgan as I didn't expect him to get a fully-guaranteed contract for '22-'23.

Last updated: 7/1/2022

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