Suns forward Markieff Morris has reportedly demanded a trade that would remove him from Phoenix prior to the start of the 2015/16 campaign. Markieff and his twin brother, Marcus, had both inked extensions with the Suns last September with the intention of remaining together throughout their respective playing careers. Unfortunately for the twins, Marcus was dealt early in July to the Pistons in an effort for Phoenix to clear the necessary cap space to make a run at unrestricted free agent LaMarcus Aldridge, who ended up signing with the Spurs.
Markieff has painted himself into a bit of a corner, as well as likely reduced any potential return that Phoenix would receive for him, with his pointed statements toward the Suns organization. “One thing for sure, I am not going to be there,” Morris said on Tuesday of Phoenix. “If you want to put that out there, you can put that out,” he added. “. . . I am not to going to be there at all.” According to the report by Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Morris isn’t upset that the team traded his brother, but instead believes he was misled by the team, as well as feels slighted by how he and Marcus were informed of the deal with Detroit.
So here’s the topic of the day: How will the Markieff Morris/Suns situation be resolved?
Will Phoenix be able to find a taker for Morris, or is a buyout arrangement in the cards? If Morris is in fact traded, what team do you see as being a good fit for him and his salary? What kind of return will the Suns be able to get for the 25-year-old? Or do you see the two sides working out their differences, even if it is for the short term? Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.
Note: Since these Shootarounds are meant to be guided by you the reader, we certainly welcome your input on the topics we present. If there is something you’d like to see pop up here for a discussion, shoot me a message at hoopsrumorsmailbag@gmail.com or hit me up on Twitter at @EddieScarito to submit topics or ideas for what we should present in future posts.
I think the Suns are more or less forced into a trade at this point. They’ll no doubt do what they can to make a last-ditch effort to see if they can convince Morris to reconsider, but I think they have to call around the league, see what’s out there, and jump on whatever the best offer is. The last thing Phoenix will want is to pay Morris $8MM to sit at home or to get involved in a messy suspension battle that would distract the team (and wouldn’t bring back anyone to help the Suns win games). The pressure to make some sort of move will only rise as training camp draws near. In short, the Suns pretty much have to trade him, and they have to trade him soon.
Chuck, it was my understanding that players who don’t report won’t get paid. I think the Suns pulled a fast one on the twins with their extension offer of “here’s the amount, you divvy it up as you see fit” then they trade one of the twins. I’d bet that’s what Morris is upset about. I doubt they go for that kind of deal separately.
They played the twins together for a full year and they gathered the most technical fouls in the league. They combined for 24 fouls, that is more than 3 entire teams in the league. Marcus squared up our head coach like he wanted to throw blows, during a win!!!! Then Markieff said the fans in AZ are the worst in the league, and to top it all off, they both got arrested on felony assault charges and are pending trial. So you tell me how the Suns didn’t give them a chance and “pulled a fast one”
Both Morris brothers fell wronged by the Suns. The biggest beneficiary is the Pistons, who got Marcus at a bargain rate for the next 3 seasons.
The Suns gave these two every opportunity to be staples with the Suns. Read up on everything they did the last 12 months and you may understand what type of human beings these two are.
According to Archie Goodwin? If they’re so horrible, why’d the Suns give them an extension?
Portland has the need for talent and the cap space. Unless the Blazers are tanking, Morris for Vonleh works for both teams.
No way Blazers give up vonleh for a guy that can’t stay out of trouble. Most the Suns will get for him is probably one of two future second rounders