Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge admitted he offered Marcus Morris a three-year extension before the start of the 2018-19 season, one he swiftly turned down, hoping to play the last year of his contract, according to The Toucher & Rich Show (via Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston).

Morris, now with the New York Knicks, told the media he has stayed in touch with some of his former Celtics teammates but has not watched them play since the franchise never offered him a deal to stay.

Ainge confirmed that was true, as he didn't extend a free agent offer to Morris after the team had zoned into Kemba Walker as the primary offseason target, something that left Morris fishing for a new contract elsewhere.

Morris seems like he has a bone to pick with Celtics' management, but he was offered money to stay with the franchise and he turned it down looking for more as a free agent. The fact that Ainge didn't cut the check he was expecting is by no means the Celtics fault, but just a situational part of NBA business.

Ainge likely offered the three-year extension knowing he would have to dole out big checks to either Kyrie Irving or another potential star. Instead, he wound up signing Walker to a four-year max free-agent deal and committed to a hefty extension for fourth-year wing Jaylen Brown during the regular season.

Morris did his share of mischievous twirls, first agreeing to a two-year, $20 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs, then pulling back on his verbal agreement once the Knicks came calling with a one-year, $15 million offer.

It seems Morris is all about maxing out his money, and while we can't fault him for that, neither can we fault Ainge for doing what's best for his franchise.