Markieff Morris has never been one to hold back. Whether it’s about teammates, opponents, or what goes down behind the scenes, Morris speaks with the kind of raw honesty that doesn’t come with a filter. And on a recent episode of The Morris Code podcast, the veteran forward opened up about a moment from his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder that nearly turned a team flight into a full-blown confrontation.
The incident dates back to the 2018-19 season, when Morris was teammates with Dennis Schröder in OKC. What started as a simple card game mid-flight quickly spiraled into a heated exchange.
According to Morris, some trash talk escalated into threats, with both players ready to take things further than just words. Schröder reportedly said, “I got ni***s too.
I got money too.” Morris didn’t back down, firing back with, “Get up right now and let’s handle this s**t on the plane.”
And it didn’t stop there. Russell Westbrook, never one to sit quietly when things get tense, reportedly chimed in with, “Yeah, somebody needs to smack that motherf***er.”
It’s a wild story, but it also paints a picture of how intense team dynamics can get-especially when you’ve got strong personalities, competitive spirits, and the kind of pressure that comes with chasing wins in the NBA. These aren’t just card games; they’re moments where egos clash, emotions run high, and sometimes, the line between camaraderie and conflict gets blurry.
Fast forward to today, and Schröder’s fiery personality is once again in the spotlight. His recent dust-up with Lakers star Luka Dončić has fans talking, and this story from his OKC days only adds more fuel to the fire. It’s clear that Schröder has always brought intensity-sometimes to his benefit, sometimes not.
Morris didn’t stop there, though. He also shared some candid thoughts on Deandre Ayton and the Lakers’ recent decision to bring the big man in. According to Morris, he and Dončić used to watch Ayton play while sitting on the bench together, and what they saw left them baffled.
“I don’t think anybody is taking Ayton,” Morris said bluntly. “I was surprised the Lakers take him… I sat on the bench [with] Luka, whoever, and we watched Ayton play in Portland.
And, some of the s*** he was doing, we couldn’t believe. And Luka was sitting right next to me.
We looking at each other like, ‘What the f*** was that?’”
It’s a strong statement, but it highlights a real concern that’s followed Ayton throughout his career: consistency. The talent is there-he’s shown flashes of dominance that make you think he could be a cornerstone big man. But too often, those moments are followed by stretches of disengagement or questionable decision-making.
Still, the Lakers saw enough upside to bring him in on a low-risk deal. The hope, clearly, is that a change of scenery and a new role can unlock the version of Ayton that once helped lead the Suns to the Finals. But as Morris points out, if Ayton’s more focused on touches than effort, that’s a tough sell for any contender.
What’s clear from Morris’ comments is that behind the scenes, players are watching each other just as closely as fans and analysts are. And when veterans like him speak out, it offers a rare, unfiltered glimpse into how NBA players really feel about what’s happening on and off the court.