Philadelphia Native Markieff Morris Reacts to Dončić Trade News

The blockbuster trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks for NBA superstar Luka Dončić took not only the league, but the entire sporting world by storm when it went through in the early hours of Sunday, Feb. 2.

After realizing the report was real, not the result of a social media account hack, fans generally considered the Lakers to have committed highway robbery, acquiring one of the best young players in the league at the beginning of his prime. Equally surprised was Philadelphia native Markieff Morris, who was part of the package Dallas sent to the Lakers along with Dončić.

Morris, 35, a power forward who helped the Lakers win the 2019-2020 NBA Championship in a bench role, was born and raised in Philadelphia, leading Prep Charter to a state championship in 2007 alongside his twin brother Marcus.

He’s now in the twilight of his professional career, playing just ten games this season and averaging 2.3 points, 0.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists in that limited action.

Because he’s barely taking the court, Morris described his hilariously candid reaction to hearing the news he was involved in a trade in a recent podcast appearance.

“I got that call from that agent at 1 o’clock in the morning saying that I was traded, and when it first happened I was in shock because, you know, obviously I haven’t played in a couple years,” Morris said. “My first [thought] is ‘who the hell want me?’”