Former Jayhawks Josh Jackson, Markieff Morris find new NBA teams

By Matt Tait     Jul 3, 2019

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Phoenix Suns forward Josh Jackson (20) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

A couple of former Jayhawks were on the move Wednesday afternoon, with one-time lottery picks Josh Jackson and Markieff Morris switching teams.

Jackson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, was traded by Phoenix to Memphis, making the 6-foot-8 wing the latest Jayhawk to join the Grizzlies’ roster.

According to a report from The Athletic, Morris, who, along with his twin brother Marcus, was selected in the lottery of the 2011 NBA Draft — with back-to-back picks, no less — agreed to a contract with the Detroit Pistons, where he will join fellow former Jayhawk Svi Mykhailiuk on the new-look Pistons roster.

Still just 29 years old, Morris played for both the Washington Wizards and Oklahoma City last season, averaging 9.4 points and 4.6 rebounds in 58 games.

The Pistons become the fourth team for Morris, who is entering his ninth season in the league and owns career averages of 11.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in 579 contests.

Until last season, Morris had averaged in double figures for eight consecutive seasons, showing improved range from 3-point land in each of the past three seasons.

Like Morris, who was drafted by Phoenix, Jackson will be looking to kickstart his career — and for a fresh start — outside of Arizona.

According to a report from ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Jackson, along with DeAnthony Melton and a pair of second-round picks in 2020 and 2021, was traded to Memphis for Kyle Korver and Jevon Carter.

In 156 games with the Suns during the past two seasons, Jackson started 64 games and averaged 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting just 45.5% from the floor and 29% from 3-point range.

Jackson’s time with Phoenix also included a couple of off-the-court incidents and the Suns are now moving on while Jackson prepares to team with 2019 No. 2 overall pick Ja Morant and former Michigan State standout Jaren Jackson Jr. in Memphis.

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Written By Matt Tait

A native of Colorado, Matt moved to Lawrence in 1988 and has been in town ever since. He graduated from Lawrence High in 1996 and the University of Kansas in 2000 with a degree in Journalism. After covering KU sports for the University Daily Kansan and Rivals.com, Matt joined the World Company (and later Ogden Publications) in 2001 and has held several positions with the paper and KUsports.com in the past 20+ years. He became the Journal-World Sports Editor in 2018. Throughout his career, Matt has won several local and national awards from both the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Kansas Press Association. In 2021, he was named the Kansas Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. Matt lives in Lawrence with his wife, Allison, and two daughters, Kate and Molly. When he's not covering KU sports, he likes to spend his time playing basketball and golf, listening to and writing music and traveling the world with friends and family.