The Phoenix Suns are not looking to trade Markieff Morris before the season starts, even after the forward made public statements about wanting to be traded. Teams like the LA Lakers, NY Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers all were considered potential landing spots, but the Suns are not motivated to make a move.
Morris has been disgruntled this summer and he was upset with the team after they traded his twin brother Marcus Morris. According to Pro Basketball Talk, Morris felt that the brothers took less money from the Suns when they signed new deals last year and that the team making a trade was somewhat of a betrayal. The Suns were making a business decision as they tried to woo LaMarcus Aldridge and now the next step is bring Morris back into the fold.
Morris was already fined for making comments to the media about wanting to be traded, but reports from Grantland.com and other websites had the Suns not motivated to make a move. The most pointed report came out on Wednesday, as Paul Coro at AZCentral.com writes that the Suns do "not intend to trade" Morris before the season starts. Coro writes that newly signed center Tyson Chandler will speak with Morris "soon" and that the team thinks they can smooth things over with Morris.
Morris reportedly wants to be traded and he prefers a deal to the Rockets or the Raptors, but that does not appear to be an option at this point. The Suns roster is mostly set heading into camp and another complication for Morris is that the team likely will not be able to get equal value back for him in a trade. Morris is a young forward with potential to still develop and he is coming off of his best season stats wise. Morris is also on an affordable contract and that makes him desirable and also someone the Suns likely value.
Morris has made some comments about not wanting to be in Phoenix and John Gambadoro reported earlier in the summer that Morris could make a "circus" of media day. Morris reportedly has not been talking with Suns staff or players and he is also dealing with an off the field issue regarding an alleged assault. Morris reportedly is the only player "under contract" who has not been working out with the team at the Suns facility this summer.
Training camp opens for the Suns at the end of September and Morris likely will show up once he is contractually obligated, but his attitude could be an issue. Coro writes that Chandler is going to take a proactive approach and as a long time veteran and team leader-type, he could convince Morris to put his head down and play and let the situation work itself out.
Morris put up the best averages of his career in points, rebounds and assists per game and he is a key part of what the Suns want to do. Morris is the most talented power forward on the roster and the Suns would be set back if they traded him. Morris reportedly did not comment for the Coro story, but said that he "would talk" at media day when camp opens. There is still time for Morris and the Suns to work things out heading into camp. Morris has four years and $32 million remaining on his deal.
