As the trade deadline is almost near, rumors about trade deals are proliferating online. One of the most notable names on the rumor mill is Markieff Morris of the Phoenix Suns. According to some reports, Morris will be traded by the Suns due to some concerns inside and outside the court. Though Morris has been giving solid contributions this season start, his attitude in the locker room has become a concern for the Suns. According to basketballinsiders;
"Markieff publically demanded a trade in an interview with Keith Pompey in their hometown of Philadelphia and was fined by the league $10,000 for it. This is to say nothing of their pending court case for a felony aggravated assault that has added to the issues Phoenix has had trying to trade the embattled power forward."
Morris has not been part of the recent team's rotation. And it is obvious that the Suns might not get valuable exchange for the power forward because of his low trade value. However, he may be able to give a higher return come February trade deadline.
There has been some buzz about Morris as a possible trade piece in exchange for the Ryan Anderson of the Pelicans. The presence of Anderson can be utilized by the Suns especially of his sharpshooting skills. And since he will be in the free agency market end of the season, it is speculated that the Suns might go for Anderson. However, the idea of Anderson going to Suns might not transpire to reality. For according to arizonasports, the trade rumor "doesn't make total sense." The site detailed that;
"This concept doesn't make much sense for multiple reasons, unless the situation with Morris is untenable (to this point there have been no indications that it is based on his behavior) and Anderson is the best the Suns can come away with. The money aspect is the most obvious negative angle. Anderson is an expiring contract, while as discussed in previous story, Morris is under contract for another three years on a reasonable deal."
Aside from Anderson, Charlotte Hornets' Spencer Hawes is likewise considered as a trade option for Morris. Hawes could actually be traded by the Hornets in exchange for a better player, Morris. "Charlotte would do this deal because Morris is a better overall player than Hawes and the Hornets may believe that a change of scenery will get Morris back on track. Paying him[Hawes] roughly $5.6 million for the next few seasons may seem more reasonable than paying someone like Anderson nearly max-level money in free agency (were they to re-sign him)," said basketballinsiders."
These rumors may actually contain something; however, it is still too early to conclude. The Suns might have some better plans for Morris. Guess we would just have to wait and see where this rumor would bring Markieff Morris.
