The Phoenix Suns may consider a Markieff Morris trade this year if the forward continues to be disgruntled with the team and teams like the LA Lakers, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics or Knicks could be landing spots if a deal ends up happening.
Morris reportedly is unhappy with the Suns after the team traded his twin brother Marcus Morris earlier in the offseason. According to John Gambadoro at Arizona Sports, Morris has not been speaking with Suns players or coaches this offseason following the trade of his brother. Morris is reportedly unhappy with the trade because the two players negotiated deals together and Morris feels they took a discount to stay with the Suns when they signed.
Gambadoro writes that the situation could get "ugly" for the Suns if it extends into training camp, as Morris could make a "circus" of media day. Gambadoro writes that Morris "plans to be standoffish" when he reports to camp and that he reportedly will wait until he "absolutely has to" arrive to show up. Sources have said that Morris will "never be happy in Phoenix" and while head coach Jeff Hornacek has said that the team could work things out, Gambadoro reports that Morris will "have one word answers" for the coach.
Morris is coming off of his best career season and one thing that makes the situation tough is that the Suns likely do not want to trade Morris. Morris is by far the best option on the team at his position and with his contract fairly affordable at four years and $32 million, it's unlikely that Phoenix could get an equal player back in return. That could make things a little testy as training camp gets closer, as Morris has made multiple comments in public about his dissatisfaction with the situation.
Zach Lowe at Grantland.com writes that the team isn't "especially motivated" about dealing Morris now, but that likely will not allay any feelings that Morris has about the situation. Marc Stein at ESPN reported that Morris was fined $10,000 by the league for demanding a trade publicly from the Suns. Morris is coming in after averaging 15.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.1 assist and 1.2 steals per game last season, which were some of the best numbers of his career.
Gambadoro previously reported that if Morris had a preference, he would like to be traded to the Houston Rockets or Toronto Raptors, as Morris has relationships with Kyle Lowry and James Harden. The request is not likely to be granted anytime soon based on how the Suns feel, but Pro Basketball Talk writes that both of those teams "make sense" for a Morris deal. PBT writes that both teams have assets to trade and both have a "need" for another power forward like Morris.
Other teams could also get involved if the Suns push a deal, but right now noting is close to happening. The Raptors have Patrick Patterson and the Rockets have Terrence Ross and if a deal went down, those players like would be involved.
Check here for more on the potential for Morris getting traded.
