Marcus Morris: LeBron 'Asked' for Markieff to Join Lakers in Luka Doncic, Mavs Trade

Former NBA player Marcus Morris appeared on Kevin O'Connor's podcast earlier in the week and said that LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers pushed to have Markieff Morris included in the trade that brought them Luka Dončić.

"The part about it I don't think a lot of people see is that 'Kieff and Luka have a really good relationship. Like, a really good relationship," he said. "So I think that they probably noticed that and they wanted Luka to feel better going to a new place where you have somebody who has been a teammate. Also Dorian Finney-Smith has been [Dončić's teammate]. Maxi Kleber. So I think that really helped. Also 'Kieff played there, so the Lakers really wanted him to come. 'Bron asked for him to come."

Ultimately, the trade that sent absolute shockwaves throughout the NBA included the Lakers landing Dončić, Morris and Kleber; the Dallas Mavericks acquiring Anthony Davis, Max Christie and the Lakers' 2029 first-round pick; and the Utah Jazz getting Jalen Hood-Schifino and a pair of 2025 second-rounders.

Since that deal, the Lakers have gone 15-8 despite dealing with a number of injuries to key players, including James. In games that Dončić has played, the Lakers are 11-6.

As for Morris, he's played a bit role with the Lakers, averaging 4.7 points and 1.6 rebounds in 13 minutes per game across seven appearances. But if he indeed made Dončić's adjustment to his new team more seamless, that's arguably more valuable than what he's offered on the court.