Believe it or not, but Adam Morrison had a good thing going for Red Star Belgrade in Serbia before deciding to leave the team in late November to test the NBA free agency waters.
He should have stayed put.
Before Morrison was let out of his contract in a “good faith” gesture by Red Star Belgrade, he averaged 15.5 points per game and was regaining both form and confidence in his ability to gun for a comeback in the league. There’s no doubt at that point in his two-month overseas career his stock climbed since last being cut by the Washington Wizards in November before the start of the 2010-2011 season.
Unfortunately for Morrison, the NBA comeback tour has stopped short of it’s destination for the former 3rd overall pick out of Gonzaga in the 2006 NBA Draft.
While his agent Mark Bartelstein maintained there was interest in a number of teams around the league, the 6-foot-8 small forward failed to secure a training camp invite and now appears he may have to return to playing in Europe. The idea may not be Morrison’s first choice, but considering this short 66-game season and the chance to remain competitive heading into next offseason’s free agency frenzy, it’s best for Morrison to take advantage of living and playing back overseas.
So where does Morrison go from here?
While Red Star Belgrade would welcome him back, seeking a bigger contract with teams in Spain or Italy becomes the fall back plan –- and likely staying for more than a couple of months.
Lucentum Alicante in Spain’s ACB league was said to be courting Morrison around the time he left Belgrade, but couldn’t lure him because of the small contract they were offering.
With Belgrade, Morrison was earning around $350,000 for a one year deal. Something for a number of teams to ponder as Morrison weighs his basketball future.
