Markieff Morris Opens Up on Past Tensions with Dennis Schröder, Questions Deandre Ayton’s Motor
Markieff Morris has never been shy about speaking his truth - whether it’s about a teammate, an opponent, or a moment most players would rather keep behind closed doors. On a recent episode of The Morris Code podcast, the former Lakers forward revisited a fiery exchange from his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder that gives fans a raw look at the kind of tension that can simmer within an NBA locker room - or in this case, 30,000 feet above the ground.
The story dates back to the 2018-19 season, when Morris and Dennis Schröder were teammates in OKC. According to Morris, what started as a casual card game during a team flight quickly spiraled into a heated confrontation.
Trash talk turned personal, and before long, things escalated to the point where Morris challenged Schröder to settle the dispute right there on the plane. The situation got so intense that even Russell Westbrook - never one to shy away from a little fire - chimed in, reportedly saying, “Yeah, somebody needs to smack that [expletive].”
Now, this isn’t just locker-room drama for drama’s sake. These moments offer a glimpse into the competitive edge and emotional volatility that come with the NBA grind.
Players are on the road constantly, dealing with the pressure of performance, egos, and expectations - and sometimes, it boils over. For Morris, it was a moment of raw emotion.
For Schröder, it was a flash of defiance. And for Westbrook, it was classic Russ: passionate, unfiltered, and always in the thick of it.
Fast forward to today, and Schröder’s name is back in the headlines for another on-court confrontation - this time involving Lakers superstar Luka Dončić. That dust-up has only amplified the spotlight on Schröder’s fiery personality, both past and present.
But Morris didn’t stop there. On the same podcast, he pivoted to another hot topic: Deandre Ayton’s trade value - or lack thereof, in his eyes. Morris shared a candid take on Ayton’s current standing in the league, saying that while the big man has the tools, his effort level isn’t where it needs to be.
“I don’t think anybody is taking Ayton,” Morris said bluntly. He recalled watching Ayton play in Portland alongside Dončić, and both were reportedly baffled by what they saw.
“Some of the [stuff] he was doing, we couldn’t believe,” Morris said. “Luka was sitting right next to me.
We looking at each other like, ‘What the [expletive] was that?’”
That kind of reaction from two veterans speaks volumes. Ayton, a former No. 1 overall pick, has long had the physical gifts to be a force in the paint.
But the knock on him - and it’s one Morris clearly agrees with - has been consistency and motor. The sense that he’s more focused on getting touches than doing the dirty work that wins games has made teams hesitant to invest heavily in him.
Still, the Lakers opted to take a low-risk swing on Ayton, hoping that a change of scenery and a fresh start might unlock the version of him that once helped lead the Suns to the NBA Finals. The talent is there.
The flashes are real. But as Morris pointed out, the league isn’t just about potential - it’s about showing up every night, doing the little things, and earning your place.
In a league where emotions run high and reputations are built as much on effort as on talent, Morris’ comments serve as a reminder: in the NBA, nothing is guaranteed - not respect, not playing time, and certainly not a roster spot. You’ve got to bring it, every night.