Darius

Morris

Per Woj: The Suns search for a short-term point guard solution has included trade targets, unsigned free agents and G-League options. Santa Cruz’s Darius Morris, who was waived by the Pelicans in early October, is averaging 19.5 points, 6.7 assists and 3.7 rebounds over 11 G League games this season.

The Pelicans are down to 18 roster spots with one two-way deal, so they still have one more two-way deal to give out for their full squad.

He suffered a bruised wrist in a game on Saturday, but doesn’t figure to make much of a splash with the Lakers this season if healthy.

The rookie has appeared in just four games since the start of February, so it makes sense to get him a chance to play regularly. Morris is averaging 2.7 points in 13 games this season.

With Derek Fisher now in Houston, the Lakers have called up Morris to be the third-string PG. Morris may get run on Friday with Ramon Sessions not yet ready to make his Lakers debut, but he shouldn’t be on any fantasy rosters.

Derek Fisher (rest) was out and Steve Blake tweaked his ankle, opening the door for Morris to play with the starting unit and all things considered he played well. He faced a swarming group of Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, and Mo Williams and the rookie held his own. In a 18-20 team league we’d consider a last-round flier pick on Morris, who some thought was the best passing PG in the draft. Fisher and Blake aren’t exactly Jerry and Magic, either.

Blake “might” receive an X-Ray on Thursday, but actually injured himself on Tuesday night. He aggravated the injury to the point where he struggled to breathe, and we’d label him questionable to play on Friday against Cleveland.

Blake essentially has fractured cartilage in his sternum and rib area. It’s an issue of pain tolerance more than anything. Promising rookie Darius Morris will step into Blake’s backup role and has been a sleeper of the deepest variety around here for a while. Don’t go adding Morris anytime soon, but watch to see if he can earn trust as he goes. Derek Fisher will be there to handle whatever the rookie cannot.

Derek Fisher will continue to start and Darius Morris will pick up more playing time as the backup PG for the Lakers.

Blake didn’t look right and we weren’t buying the ‘day-to-day’ designation, highlighting why you can’t unconditionally trust teams when they issue guidelines. Derek Fisher had 10 assists tonight but that’s not likely to become an every night thing, and perhaps more interesting is the ability for rookie Darius Morris to get some good experience.