Chris Morris is a Jazzman.
Utah Jazz owner Larry H. Miller confirmed Friday morning that an agreement had been reached with Morris. The deal was to be signed later in the day, but Morris was to arrive in time for the opening of practice, albeit a little late.Reports indicate Morris has agreed to a three-year, $8 million deal.
An unrestricted free agent, the 6-foot-8, 220-pound Morris has spent the past seven seasons with the New Jersey Nets. Last season he averaged 13.4 points and 5.1 rebounds, while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 33.4 from the three-point line.
The 29-year-old Morris reportedly made several visits to Salt Lake City in recent weeks to meet with Jazz officials.
Miller said the signing of Morris means the Jazz have discontinued talks with former Portland Trail Blazer guard Terry Porter.
"We've been trying to get one of a few guys signed," he said. "Things came together with Chris (Morris) first, so that basically closes the door with Terry."
(One news agency was so convinced Porter was coming to the Jazz that it called the Deseret News Friday morning asking for details of his new contract).
Morris was the fourth pick in the 1988 draft after averaging 20.7 points and 9.8 rebounds for Auburn.
His highest scoring season in the NBA was
the 1989-90 season when he averaged 14.8 points per game. He's never averaged under 10 points per game, the lowest average coming in 1993-94 at 10.9.
Morris has done well in the playoffs. Following the 1991-92 regular season he averaged 18.8 points in four playoff games. The next season he averaged 17.0 in five games while shooting .557 from the field.
His career shooting percentage is .444. His career three-point shooting percentage is .307 (he's attempted 1,197 and made 368).
Morris likely will vie for time in the small forward slot where his main competition will likely be David Benoit.
JAZZ NOTES: Jazz first-round draft pick Greg Ostertag won't be practicing when training camp opens today at Southern Utah University. But the delay isn't expected to be long.
Ostertag, a 7-foot-2 center from Kansas, arrived for media day at the Delta Center Thursday with his right foot wrapped in a soft walking cast. Asked what happened, Ostertag said he had two screws removed from his ankle on Wednesday night. He said the screws were inserted in the ankle three years ago while he was in college, after sustaining a stress fracture.
When he began feeling pain in the ankle during the mini-camp last weekend, it was decided to remove the screws.
Ostertag said he expects to be able to play within 48 hours of having the screws removed and to be at full speed by Sunday or Monday.