Rockets eyeing Suns’ Markieff Morris?

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Phoenix Suns, Markieff Morris, Dallas Mavericks
Photo: Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images

Markieff Morris, Phoenix Suns
Photo: Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

According to Marc Stein of ESPN.com, the Houston Rockets are eyeing once disgruntled Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris, who made headlines this summer when he blasted Phoenix’s brass and claimed he would not be returning to the team this upcoming season, expressing his desire to be shipped out

Sources told ESPN.com the Rockets are in the market for roster upgrades in the wake of their disappointing 10-11 start and have Morris on their list of targets, amid a growing belief around the league that the Suns are indeed prepared to finally move Morris

Sources told ESPN.com that forward Terrence Jones would likely be included if a trade for Markieff Morris came to fruition, but the options for virtually every team in the league will increase in just over a week’s time, with more than 100 players who signed new deals over the summer becoming trade eligible Dec. 15.

Morris’ frustration with the Suns’ front-office stems from the fact that they dealt his twin brother, Marcus, to the Detroit Pistons over the summer in an attempt to clear cap-space in attempt to better position themselves in the LaMarcus Aldridge sweepstakes. The fact that Marcus was traded so abruptly without consultation did not sit well with Markieff, who received a DNP-CD during the Suns’ heartbreaking loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday afternoon. 

When asked about his trade demands at the beginning of the season, Morris rebuffed and indicated that he was prepared for the long-haul in Phoenix. Obviously things have changed for Morris who is in the first year of a four-year, $32 million contract extension. 

After proving to be one of Phoenix’s most productive players last season, Morris’ output has somewhat tapered off so far in this campaign. After averaging a career-high 15.3 points per contest on 46% shooting just a year ago, the former Kansas Jayhawk is now putting up 12.1 points per game on 39% shooting. In addition to his steep decline in efficiency, Morris’ rebounds and assists per game are down from last season as well.

Morris’ brother Marcus, who harbors many bad feelings towards the Suns, theorizes that his brother’s poor play can be accredited to unhappiness, as he believes things cannot be mended in Phoenix. 

“He just don’t look comfortable,” Marcus Morris said at the time. “He don’t look too excited.”

“I feel like I’m enjoying where I’m at. I hope he goes somewhere where he’s happy too, so we both can play basketball, get back to playing normal.”

Morris has carved out a reputation as somewhat of a h0t-head, but he cannot let that or the fact that he and his brother are not playing together mar his career. Morris is an under-the-radar versatile talent that could help the Rockets tremendously, but his mind has to be fixated on one thing: winning basketball. 

It’s no secret that winning fixes everything, and the frustrations are surely mounting as Markieff watches his brother enjoy great team and individual success while the Suns have lost eight of their last nine games.

 

 

 

 

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