You remember the 2020 Bubble. Everyone was stuck in Orlando, the world was upside down, and the Los Angeles Lakers were systematically dismantling teams on their way to a title. Markieff Morris was a massive part of that. He wasn't the star, obviously, but he was that "enforcer" who could actually shoot the rock. When he left the first time in 2021, fans were bummed. When he left the second time—just this past summer in 2025—it felt more like the quiet end of an era.
The Lakers Markieff Morris departure isn't just one story; it's a weird, two-part saga of a veteran who LeBron James personally vouched for multiple times.
The First Exit: 2021 and the Miami Move
Honestly, the first time Markieff walked away from Staples Center (now Crypto.com Arena), it was strictly business. After helping win that 17th banner, Morris signed a one-year minimum deal to run it back for the 2020-21 season. But that season was a disaster for the Lakers. Injuries to Anthony Davis and LeBron derailed everything.
By the summer of 2021, the Lakers were obsessed with the Russell Westbrook trade. They were clearing house. Morris was an unrestricted free agent, and while he’d been a "foxhole" guy for LeBron, the front office was looking for a different look. On August 6, 2021, he signed a one-year deal with the Miami Heat.
That was supposed to be the end of it. He went to Miami, had that infamous neck injury after the Nikola Jokic shove, and bounced around to Brooklyn and Dallas.
The Surprise Return and the 2025 Blockbuster
Here is where it gets interesting for the real hoop heads. Most people forgot that Markieff actually came back to LA very recently. In February 2025, the Lakers pulled off the unthinkable: they traded for Luka Doncic.
It was a franchise-altering move that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas. Tucked inside that massive trade package was Markieff Morris. Marcus Morris, Markieff’s twin, actually went on record saying Markieff was considering retirement right before that trade. He had just bought a house in Dallas. He was done with the grind.
Then LeBron called.
LeBron James basically told him, "I need you back in the foxhole." So, Markieff put retirement on hold, packed his bags, and returned to the Lakers for the stretch run of the 2024-25 season. He played in 8 games, provided some veteran leadership for Luka and LeBron, and sat on the bench during that first-round loss to Minnesota.
Why He’s Gone for Good This Time
As of August 2025, the Lakers Markieff Morris departure became official again, though much quieter this time. The team decided not to bring him back for the 2025-26 campaign.
Why? It's simple math.
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- Age: Morris is 35.
- Roster Spots: The Lakers wanted to keep an open roster spot for flexibility.
- Production: In those 8 games back in LA, he averaged about 5.5 points on "glacial" shooting efficiency.
Rob Pelinka and the front office are currently focusing on younger legs to surround Luka and an aging LeBron. There’s a limit to how many "locker room guys" you can have when you need perimeter defense.
What the Lakers are Missing Now
You can't replace the "Unc" energy. Even if he wasn't playing 20 minutes a night, Morris was the guy holding everyone from rookie Dalton Knecht to the superstars accountable. He was the one who could get in a teammate's face without it becoming a "thing."
Earlier this year, in January 2026, Morris was still making headlines for the Lakers, even though he's a free agent. He recently leaked details about an altercation between Luka Doncic and Dennis Schröder, proving he's still very much in the inner circle of the NBA's elite, even if he isn't wearing the jersey.
Actionable Insights for Lakers Fans
If you're wondering how the Lakers fill the void left by a veteran "stretch-four" like Morris, watch the development of Rui Hachimura and the team's use of small-ball lineups. The era of the "bully-ball" veteran is fading in LA as they transition into the Luka Doncic era.
Keep an eye on the buyout market in February 2026. The Lakers often look for "Morris-type" veterans—guys with championship rings who can hit an open corner three—to fill that final roster spot before the playoffs. For now, Markieff and his brother Marcus are reportedly looking at opportunities together, possibly overseas or in the BIG3, marking a definitive end to his time in the Purple and Gold.