The Mavericks' most valuable player doesn't even need to touch the floor

When the Dallas Mavericks traded for Kyrie Irving in the middle of the 2022-23 season, it was a move that fans were extremely fired up about as the team finally landed a co-star for Luka Doncic.

The team had just added one of the most skilled players of all time for a relatively low price, and little did Mavs fans know that the Brooklyn Nets gifted Dallas another player in this deal who has turned into a fan favorite and an irreplaceable piece for the team.

Markieff Morris was the other player who the Nets sent to the Mavs as part of the Irving trade, and despite not playing much, he has been a dream come true for this team as he provides them with exactly what they need on a nightly basis.

Morris' under-the-radar impact on the Mavs deserves more credit

Morris has only played in three games for the Mavs this season, and his biggest impact comes from the bench. He is always encouraging his teammates from the first seat on the bench closest to the coaches, and his vocal leadership is something that the organization seriously values.

It would have been easy for the Mavs to sign a different player over the offseason who would have been able to provide more of an impact than Morris on the floor, but not a single free agent over the summer could have provided the same impact that Morris brings from the sideline. Dallas prioritized bringing Morris back over the summer, and there was never a doubt that he wouldn't be returning.

From helping injured players to the locker room to approaching referees with other players when they argue a call to help them stay composed to even coaching young players from the bench during the game, Morris has done it all. He is seemingly loved by all of his teammates as well, and having a player like him who will accept his role of not playing much to lead from the bench is something not easy to find.

He brings no ego into his day-to-day journey with the Mavs, and Jason Kidd even named him as the team's MVP last season because of how great he was. Morris helped pull Dallas out of an intense losing streak last season with a strong postgame speech, and his message got across to his teammates as they got back on track after that and went on a huge run at the end of the season to make the NBA Finals.

There aren't many players like Morris in the NBA, and without him, who knows where the Mavs would be. Veteran leadership and good vibes are priceless in the NBA, and Morris provides both of those things.