The Houston Rockets are eyeing changes. After a slow start to the season that saw head coach Kevin McHale get fired, the Rockets are trying to make adjustments in order to chase the Golden State Warriors who appear unstoppable at the moment. Eyeing roster shake ups, the Rockets are looking at potential trades which might include Markieff Morris of the Phoenix Suns.
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Rockets are eyeing a trade for Morris under the idea that the Suns are finally ready to trade the forward. Morris spoke in detail about his unhappiness with the Suns after the team traded his twin brother, Marcus, in the offseason. The power forward has been a star with the Suns, but the tension between the two might be too far to overcome at this point.
After a 10-11 start to the season, the Rockets are starting to come into their own under interim head coach JB Bickerstaff while winning three in a row including six out of their last 10 games. Morris is currently signed to a four-year, $32 million deal while averaging 12.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. The Rockets are searching for a roster upgrade and believe that Morris might be the addition needed. But who do they need to give up in order to acquire him?
According to Stein, Terrence Jones is likely to be included in the trade while Ty Lawson might be an option as well. According to the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets might be ready to move Lawson if they believe they can get a better upgrade on the court. There are conflicting reports about Lawson as RealGM.com is reporting the team told the point guard he was not going anywhere, something he confirmed.
"They're pretty honest here and they would come up to me and tell me that," Lawson said, via RealGM.com. "When that story came out, they came up to me and told me like there is no truth to it. I'm just playing here every day, go day by day, working hard and if things happen, things happen."
The Rockets are getting good production out of Patrick Beverley and Jason Terry right now. Lawson is expendable, but likely for the right price. It seems unlikely that just Jones would land the Rockets Morris. The power forward does hold value in the league and it is something the Suns could take advantage of. The Suns do not have a huge need for Lawson if the Rockets were to offer him.
For now the Rockets are gaining momentum. James Harden and Dwight Howard are looking much improved as they recently shut down the Sacramento Kings. If that can continue, the Rockets might not end up jumping onto the Morris trade talk. However, another streak of losses and Morris will become a top target.
