NBA Rumors: Markieff Morris Wants Out Of Phoenix — Memphis And Toronto Possible Destinations?
Markieff Morris is so upset with the Phoenix Suns that he has not spoken to the organization or his teammates since the season ended. Now, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM is reporting that Morris wants nothing to do with the franchise and will try to force their hand by demanding a trade.
According to @Gambo987's sources, Markieff wants out. He wants nothing to do with the #Suns. Won't talk to players or staff. #NBA
— Burns and Gambo on Arizona Sports (@BurnsAndGambo) August 6, 2015
There are likely many reasons why Morris is unhappy in Phoenix. But the most likely reason Morris wants out of the Valley of the Sun is that the organization dealt his twin brother, Marcus, to the Detroit Pistons earlier this summer. The Morris twins are extremely close — they lived together while they were in Phoenix, and their agent even negotiated their contract extension together.
Since the trade, Marcus Morris has blasted the Suns. Marcus Morris isn’t the only one to have negative things to say about the Suns on their way out the door. Goran Dragic, who demanded a trade before finally ending up Miami, and Isaiah Thomas, who was dealt to Boston, have also criticized the organization, according to CBS Sports.
Other issues that may be in play for Morris is that he and Marcus, along with three others, are facing felony aggravated assault charges that could bring jail time. The Morris twins pled not guilty and their lawyers recently filed a motion to send the case back to the grand jury based on what is being described as questionable evidence. Earlier this year, Markieff blasted Suns’ fans for not being loud enough at home.
There are two problems for the Suns in deciding whether to trade Morris or not. The first issue is that Morris is one of the Suns best players, along with Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight.
Morris is coming off a career year, averaging 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds while shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 31.8 percent from the three-point line. The 25-year-old, six-foot-10 power forward also knocked down a career-best 50.2 percent of his shots between 10 and 16 feet, per Basketball-Reference, and produced 12 double-doubles. Morris has four years and $32 million left on his contract.
The second problem for Phoenix is if they can find any takers for Morris and if they can get any value in return. In addition to the behavioral problems listed above, Morris has been whistled for 27 technical fouls the last two years, including 15 last season. He was also ejected twice and tagged with three flagrant fouls.
The Raptors are looking for a starting power forward, though as the Inquisitr previously reported, the job currently is Patrick Patterson’s to lose. According to Rant Sports, Raptor head coach Dwane Casey said that he sees Patterson more as a spark of the bench than starter, so something may be up. Starting Luis Scola is also an option for the Raptors.
Jonah Jordan of SB Nation believes that Morris would fit in nicely with Memphis. If Morris would end up with the Grizzlies, he would have to come off the bench as Zach Randolph is already entrenched at power forward. Another issue Jordan pointed out would be if Memphis, which doesn’t own a first-round draft pick next season, could convince the Suns to take Jeff Green’s expiring contract. The Griz may have to include Jarnell Stokes, Jarell Martin, or Jordan Adams (or a combination of the three) in a package deal.
[Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images]
