The Houston Rockets are reportedly interested in a trade for Markieff Morris with the Phoenix Suns and players like Terrence Jones, Ty Lawson or Donte Motiejunas could be options to get moved. The Los Angeles Clippers reportedly are exploring their own trade deals, as players like Jamal Crawford, Lance Stephenson and Josh Smith could be targets for teams.
UPDATE: The Suns and Pelicans are reportedly talking a Morris for Ryan Anderson deal. Check here for more.
The Rockets news comes after Morris made multiple trade demands in the offseason and after Houston has gotten off to a disappointing start to the season. According to Marc Stein at ESPN, the Rockets have "trade interest" in Morris and the team wants to make "roster upgrades" after opening the season 10-11 and firing head coach Kevin McHale. The team likely would make a deal centered around Terrence Jones, while players like Lawson or Motiejunas also could be options, but Lawson is less likely.
Jones and Motiejunas are heading into free agency and that could be one motivating factor for the Rockets as they consider making moves. Morris also could be a potential option for the Pistons, as the Detroit Free Press reported earlier in the year that the team could bring in Morris to re-join his twin brother, who was traded from the Suns over the summer to the Pistons. Morris is on a four-year, $32 million deal and he could be a target for multiple teams if the Rockets do not push for a trade.
Michael Scotto of Sheridan Hoops reported last week that the Rockets are looking to trade either Jones or Motiejunas and those players could be options if the team goes after Morris. Morris was recently benched and as the schedule pushes into December, Phoenix could be inclined to make a deal. Jones has previously been shopped in deals and he likely would get moved if a trade happens, but more players would need to be involved to match up the salaries.
The Rockets are not the only team looking at trade deals, as the Clippers have reportedly been looking to see what deals are out there after a disappointing start. The team reportedly shopped Jamal Crawford over the summer and Yahoo Sports reports that the team has "gauged interest" in both Josh Smith and Lance Stephenson. Marc Spears reports that the Clippers have looked around for deals involving those players, but the team has slowed it down a bit after dealing with injuries.
Smith is not eligible to be traded until December 15 since he signed this summer, but Stephenson could be traded before that. The Orange County Register reported that Smith had a shouting match with a Clippers coach earlier this season and he comes in averaging career lows across the board so far this year. The Clippers may want to shake things up after getting off to a tough start this season.
