Skip to main content

Darius Morris turns down opportunity with Lakers for deal with Sixers

Darius Morris turned down a chance to return to the Lakers for a deal with the Sixers. (Noah Graham/Getty Images)

Darius Morris will turn down an opportunity to return to the Lakers for a deal with the Sixers. (Noah Graham/Getty Images)

Former University of Michigan standout Darius Morris is finalizing a deal to play for the Philadelphia 76ers next season after two years with the Los Angeles Lakers.

According to a report Thursday from Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports!, the 22-year-old guard turned down an opportunity to return to Los Angeles and instead will opt for Philadelphia to play a bigger role in the team's rotation. The deal is partially guaranteed for next season but specific terms were not immediately available.

Last season, Morris split time between the Lakers and the team's NBDL affiliate, the Los Angeles D-Fenders. In 48 appearances last season for the Lakers, he averaged 4.0 points and 1.6 assists per game.

Morris is expected to have a larger part in the Sixers' rebuilding effort and will compete in a backcourt that features rookie Michael Carter-Williams and former Grizzly Tony Wroten.

The Sixers finished last season with a 34-48 record, tied with the Toronto Raptors for ninth in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia tips off its season Oct. 30 with a home game against the reigning NBA champion Miami Heat.

SI Wire: Carmelo Anthony on free agency with Knicks next summer: 'I'm not going nowhere'

© 2024 ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. - All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators’ opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Gambling content intended for 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.