The Los Angeles Lakers have made a number of significant moves this offseason to get their team back on track after a rough campaign last season and after signing names like Chris Kaman, Wesley Johnson and Nick Young, another player is on his way out, as Darius Morris is heading to the city of brotherly love.
According to SI.com, Morris, who has been with the Lakers for the past two seasons, will head to Philly to sign a deal with the 76ers, as he is hoping that playing for a team that is rebuilding will allow him to get more time on the court and with the big league ball club after spending time in the D-League and the NBA over the past couple years. The Lakers have liked what Morris brings to the table and while they would have liked to keep him, the 22-year-old felt the opportunity for him to play was greater in Philly.
Morris previously played at Michigan and last season he appeared in 48 games for the Lakers and averaged 4.0 points and 1.6 assists and he spent most of the season in the D-League playing for the Los Angeles D-Fenders and he now will join the Sixers with a chance to start splitting time with new rookie guard Michael Carter-Williams as the team tries to rebuild the franchise with a new head coach and front office.
Morris will get more security with the 76ers and Yahoo reports that he will sign a partially guaranteed contract after playing in just 14 minutes with the Lakers on average per game last season. Morris could have returned to the Lakers, but opted for the chance to play more.
The Lakers are heading into a very important season as Kobe Bryant returns from injury, as Mike D'Antoni could be on the hot seat if the team gets off to a bad start again. The team won 45 games last season and now is heading into the year getting ready for the Clippers on opening night.
