Two Las Vegas casinos are alleging former Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers forward Marcus Morris stole $265,000 from them.
TMZ Sports reported on Tuesday that Marcus Morris wrote bad checks totaling that amount. Reports state Morris wrote a check for $115,000 to the MGM Grand in May 2024 and multiple checks to Wynn Las Vegas the following months totaling $150,000.
According to the casinos, all of the checks bounced.
Morris Arrested In Florida Airport
A judge issued two warrants for Morris’ arrest earlier this year. Law enforcement took Morris into custody at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and is awaiting extradition to Las Vegas.
According to TMZ, the 35-year-old’s attorney argued for Morris’ release. The attorney noted that Morris was working to pay off his debts.
A Broward County judge denied the motion. The judge would only release Morris to Nevada authorities or if warrants were withdrawn.
Morris’s twin brother, former Lakers power forward Markieff Morris, was in court for the hearing.
Markieff complained about the entire ordeal on X/Twitter. He insinuated there was more to the story that his brother would reveal.
“Damn for that amount of money they’ll embarrass you in the airport with your family,” he wrote on X. “They got y’all really thinking bro did some fraud s–t. They could have came to the crib for all that. When y’all hear the real story on this s–t man. All I can say is lesson learned. Bro will tell y’all tomorrow. This weird s–t gave me a headache. Can’t stop nothin!”
Marcus Morris hasn’t played in the league since the 2023-24 season and makes frequent appearances on ESPN as a broadcaster. His agent Yony Noy disputed the charges and noted on X/Twitter that the issue was more of a misunderstanding.
“Just so everyone understands this is zero fraud here or whatever crap outlets have said regarding fake checks or whatever the hell,” he noted. “This is due to an outstanding marker with a casino. Apparently if you have over $1,200 they can issue a warrant for your arrest. Absolute insanity!
Gambling Controversies Nothing New To The NBA
Morris was drafted in 2011 by the Houston Rockets and played 13 seasons in the NBA for eight different teams. The NBA has experienced several gambling-related issues over the last few years.
Federal authorities have been investigating alleged wire fraud, gambling, and prop betting issues allegedly involving Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley.
Last year, former Toronto Raptors guard Jontay Porter pleaded guilty to a bet-fixing scheme that involved limiting his playing time in games. He was also banned for life by NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
In January, news surfaced that Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier is now the focus of a federal investigation for manipulating statistics during a game in March 2023, when Rozier was a member of the Charlotte Hornets.
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