Markieff Morris Height: 6-10

Weight: 245 lbs.

Age: 27

NBA Experience: 6 years

Nickname: Keef; Smooth

By the Numbers:

Games Played: 76

Games Started: 76

Total Minutes: 2,605 (32.6 MPG)

Points: 1,063 (14.0 PPG)

Assists: 126 (1.7 APG)

Rebounds: 493 (6.5 RPG)

Steals: 82 (1.1 SPG)

Blocks: 42 (0.6 BPG)

Field goals: 406-889 (.457)

Free throws: 180-215 (.837)

3-pointers: 71-96 (.362)

Turnovers: 43

Net Rating: -3 (106-109)

PER: 13.7

People love to absolutely shred Ernie Grunfeld and scrutinize every single move he makes. Yes, he has more than his fair share of poor decisions, but trading a first-round pick for Markieff Morris was one of the best moves in recent team history. Morris is on a steal of a contract, an average of $8 million per year, and is a very serviceable starting power forward. The argument could easily be made that if Washington was able to get Morris for the 2015-16 season, then they would have made the playoffs that year. Regardless, Morris had another strong season for Washington last season.

Season Takeaways

• Simply put, Morris provides an edge to the team. His role on Death Row DC and growing up on the streets of North Philly show he is not a guy to be messed around with. It's something you can see on the court, the way his physical play can intimidate opponents. For instance, he was able to neutralize All-Star Paul Millsap fairly well with “MMA” style of play and aggression. He is not intimidated by anybody and he is up for all challenges including guarding LeBron James or any of the leagues other great superstars.

• The Morris we saw last season should not be the peak of his career. First, he dealt with several lower leg injuries throughout the course of the season; not just after Al Horford ran under his feet, which plagued him, but he fought through much of it even though his movement was not at 100 percent. Second, he is still working on his three-point shot. He understands that a lot of the opportunity he gets, which he approximated to be 90 percent last media day, from John Wall are wide open and is continuing to put in work to improve himself into a 40 percent three-point shooter.

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• Although I never like to question a player’s commitment, Morris did not seem to play as hard during the beginning of the year (and again that may have been because of health). It seemed that a ridiculous Bleacher Report ranking that did not have him as a Top-30 power forward reenergized him and he became dominant on the boards and in the paint, which perfectly lined up with Washington’s hot December and January. It was impressive to see and if he can bring that for a full season and stay completely healthy, he will be a force for the league to reckon with.

What's next?

Morris has been working out with his twin brother Marcus, recently traded to the rival Celtics, in the DC area. He is expecting a baby girl in September as well. His future with Washington is simple. He will be the team’s starting power forward and we can hope that he has gotten healthy and becomes a more efficient scorer, especially from outside.

The best of Keef off the court.

The best of Keef on the court.