Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Virtually immediately after the trade that sent his brother Marcus to the Detroit Pistons during the offseason, Markieff Morris expressed displeasure with the Phoenix Suns. Threats to not show up or play turned out to have no teeth, and early in training camp Morris declared he wanted to be in Phoenix. Things seemed to be alright at that point, but after Morris did not play Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies new attention has been brought to the situation.
Suns’ coach Jeff Hornacek has attempted to explain his decision to keep Morris out of Sunday’s game, citing Memphis’ big front court and a desire to threaten them on the perimeter with Mirza Teletovic and Jon Leuer. That seems like strained logic at best, which has fueled new trade speculation and a report from ESPN’s Marc Stein regarding a team that might have interest in Morris.
ESPN sources say the Houston Rockets have trade interest in Markieff Morris, who was a DNP-CD in the Suns’ narrow loss Sunday to Memphis
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) December 7, 2015
After setting career-highs in points (15.3), rebounds (6.2) and assists (2.3) per game in 2014-15, Morris’ numbers have dropped so far this season. Most notable is a career-worst field goal percentage (39 percent), and he is also averaging nearly five minutes less per game (26.2) compared to last season (31.5), despite starting 16 of the 17 games he has played.
The Suns could have traded Morris at a peak in his value during the offseason, but it’s understandable why they didn’t after his public whining about his brother being traded and a perception that their hand was being forced. The drop in his play so far this season may be related to his unhappiness, and quite frankly it’s an immature move on Morris’ part if he is not offering his best effort.
A chance of scenery is what Morris surely wants, and it now appears the Suns have little use for him on the floor. It makes sense to allow a trade market beyond the Rockets to develop, but the Suns can (and should) wait for the right deal and send Morris elsewhere as soon as they can.
Brad Berreman is a Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter.
