Inside The Rapid Rise Of NBA G League Alum Monte Morris
Drafted 51st overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, Monte Morris has gone from playing in the NBA G League to rising up as one of the most valuable players on a fiercely playoff-contending Nuggets squad.
Sometimes it’s easy to overlook a player’s skill or impact, because they tend to make things look so simple, or manage to get the job done in limited minutes.
Monte Morris is the poster-child for that kind of player. Last season, the 25 year old averaged 9 points on a 46/38/85 shooting clip to go along with 3.5 assists, in just 22.4 minutes per contest. Interestingly enough, just about every one of his offensive categories saw a small decrease from the 2018-19 campaign, but alas, so did his minutes. That, however, was never a problem for Morris, who seemed to just stay focused on being productive and efficient, picking up a career-high 12 starts during the regular season.
He’s become a key cog in head coach Michael Malone’s rotation, appearing in every game out of a possible 155 regular season contests over the last two seasons. As the backup point guard in Denver, Morris plays behind budding superstar Jamal Murray, whose explosive performance in the NBA bubble made waves in a way that helped make sense of Morris’ sometimes curbed role.
Nevertheless, the proof is in the pudding. Morris ranks seventh-best in Win Share (at 10.2) among players from his 2017 draft class, according to Basketball Reference. Three of the players Morris trails in this category were lottery picks. The other three were all scooped up by the time pick No.23 was announced. Providing quite the stark contrast, Morris was selected 51st overall.
With the news of Morris’ reported extension, the Nuggets recognize his value and were able to put a well deserved price-tag on his contributions.
This is the culmination of a rapid rise for Morris, who before emerging as one of the most reliable players in the NBA bubble last season, wasn’t that far removed from spending most of his rookie campaign in the NBA G League.
Upon getting drafted, Morris signed a Two-Way contract with Denver. This is becoming common practice for NBA teams with late second round picks, but it’s worth noting that it wasn’t until this season that the NBA changed its Two-Way player availability from 45 days to 50 games. That’s an astounding change, which means back in 2017-18, Morris was only privy to spending a month and a half participating with the Nuggets (in theory) and getting the best chance at building camaraderie with his teammates, earning trust from the immediate coaching staff, and forming a quick understanding of the team’s playbook and respective schemes on both ends of the floor.
The Nuggets remain standing as one of the NBA’s few teams without a minor league affiliate to call its own. That meant Morris spent most of his rookie campaign as a flex-assignee with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. In 37 games, the Iowa State product averaged 17.8 points, 6.5 assists, and 1.8 steals. He excelled, but even then there was no full guarantee such skill and experience would lend itself favorably to what the Nuggets were doing at the next level. Of course, Nuggets and Vipers personnel could stay in close contact as it related to Morris’ development, but it can’t be denied that he spent most of the campaign playing in a different system for an organization that had its own development goals and player growth to prioritize.
Still, Morris made the best of his situation. Coincidentally enough, it was in RGV that he began to develop chemistry with eventual 2019 NBA G League Finals MVP Isaiah Hartenstein, who now joins him as a teammate in Denver.
In just three short seasons, Morris has transformed into one of the Nuggets’ most impactful players and clutch performers. There’s no doubt there were hurdles to leap across along the way, but he’s taken things in stride and stayed determined. A key part of finding success in this role is not having any ego. Morris is as humble as he is efficient (even continuing to show love to his minor league roots on social media).
On the court, it’s remarkable how much of a calming presence he is. Morris’ decision-making has the maturity of a decade-seasoned veteran. He makes smart plays and is very productive in the pick and roll. He has a special ability to cut through the lane and attack the defense, but is never one to force up his own shots. If the opportunity is there, Morris will try to lay it in or attempt a jumper. If not, he’ll find big men streaking to the basket.
It may seem simple, but when Morris (in lieu of Murray) is on the court, Denver hardly misses a beat. Credit must be given to the Nuggets’ scouting department for snatching up such a gem and seeing his development through.
From 51st overall to first in his team’s line of defense to help relieve key starters, it’s safe to say Morris has made his mark on the game in an unique way.