Knicks Waive Marcus Morris Sr., Chuma Okeke amid Rumored Karl-Anthony Towns Trade

The New York Knicks have waived forwards Marcus Morris Sr. and Chuma Okeke, the team announced on Saturday.

The Knicks reportedly agreed to a blockbuster trade on Friday night, acquiring four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. In exchange for Towns, the Timberwolves received Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Keita Bates-Diop and a future first-round pick from the Detroit Pistons.

Fred Katz of The Athletic noted that the Knicks needed to open up roster spots in order to complete the deal before waiving Morris and Okeke.

Per Katz, the move allows New York to sign and trade forward DaQuan Jeffries to the Charlotte Hornets. Charania and Krawczynski reported on Friday that the Hornets were included as a third team in the deal and will receive Jeffries as well as “draft compensation” from the Knicks.

New York signed Okeke to an Exhibit 10 contract on Aug. 1. The 26-year-old appeared in 47 games with the Orlando Magic during his 2023-24 season, averaging 2.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in 9.2 minutes per game.

The Knicks added Morris just over a month later, signing him to an Exhibit 9 deal. The contract essentially served as a training camp invite, as sharpshooter Landry Shamet also received one on the same day. With the veteran swingman waived, Shamet now has a strong chance to make New York’s regular-season roster.

Morris played 49 games with the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers last season. He averaged 6.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game on 43.9/40.3/81.8 shooting splits.

Team president Leon Rose has been active throughout the past year, as the Knicks’ projected rotation looks vastly different compared to the squad’s 2023-24 campaign. Of the nine players to appear in New York’s 2023 season-opener against the Boston Celtics, only three are still on the current roster.

With training camps opening on Tuesday, Morris and Okeke are back on the free-agent market.