Timberwolves acquire Morris in deal with Detroit

February 9, 2024

DETROIT (AP) — The rebuilding Detroit Pistons have dealt Monte Morris to the contending Minnesota Timberwolves according to a person familiar with the deals on the eve of the NBA trade deadline.

Detroit acquired Shake Milton, Troy Brown and a second-round selection from Minnesota.

The Timberwolves are in a closely contested, four-team race for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, a surprising season for a franchise that hasn’t won a playoff series in 20 years.

The league’s stingiest defense has fueled their success, but despite plenty of firepower from All-Stars Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Wolves have been lagging on offense. Four times in their last 10 games, they’ve had a fourth-quarter lead of 10-plus points and lost.

Milton and Brown were off-season free agent signings, but on a deep team neither has been able to crack the rotation on a regular basis and averaged just four-plus points per game.

The 28-year-old Morris, who has averaged 10.5 points and four assists in his career that includes playoff experience, potentially gives Minnesota a much-needed boost off the bench.