The chances Markieff Morris returns to the Phoenix Suns for the 2015-16 season is slim to none, but where he lands might be the bigger question. The power forward is one-year removed from a four-year contract extension signed last offseason, but is demanding a trade from Phoenix after the franchise dealt his brother to the Detroit Pistons. Morris made it clear he wants out of Phoenix, but there might not be a team that makes a move for him.
According to John Gambadoro of 98.7 Arizona Sports, Morris wants to be traded to the Houston Rockets to play with James Harden. According to Gambadoro, Morris is telling the Suns that he cannot play for the franchise. He is not calling teammates in regards to plans for training camp and he will not report for practice until he is absolutely required to. Morris is so unhappy with Phoenix that he reportedly wants people to know he cannot be motivated to play for the franchise.
A trade to Houston seems unlikely on paper, but nothing should be put past Daryl Morey. If the team were to acquire Morris, they would likely be handing over Terrence Jones in the process. Morris is certainly an upgrade to Jones, but his salary is worse which could hurt interest. Morris is currently assigned a four-year, $32 million deal and the Rockets are pressed for cash.
That reason could defer interest from multiple teams. The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to the power forward. They are aiming to trade away Ryan Kelly or Nick Young and could get Morris instead. According to Kevin Pelton of ESPN, the Lakers could show interest in Morris is Phoenix has a reasonable price tag on the power forward. That would give the team better depth to work with.
The same can be said for the Boston Celtics. Pelton suggested Boston as a landing spot as the team is not sold on the future of Jared Sullinger. The Celtics would ideally like to trade the power forward with a package that could include Perry Jones or James Young. Morris is an upgrade from Sullinger while being young and in good health.
The Suns have not taken a side with Morris just yet. The two sides have reportedly not spoken since the power forward began speaking out. Teammates like Brandon Knight have spoken out in favor of Morris returning to the team, but demands coming it is unlikely that happens.