NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Teams That Should Trade For Markieff Morris

Dec 21, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) sits the bench in the final second of their 110-89 loss to the Utah Jazz at vivint.SmartHome Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) sits the bench in the final second of their 110-89 loss to the Utah Jazz at vivint.SmartHome Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next

With the 2016 NBA trade deadline approaching, here are five teams that should consider trading for Phoenix Suns power forward Markieff Morris.

NBA
Dec 21, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) sits the bench in the final second of their 110-89 loss to the Utah Jazz at vivint.SmartHome Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

In the NBA, chemistry can be just as important for a team as how much talent is on its roster. That valuable lesson has provided a steep learning curve for the Phoenix Suns, who have been dealing with an uncomfortable Markieff Morris situation since trading away his brother Marcus Morris over the summer.

Everyone’s heard the details over and over again since then: Keef demanded a trade, the Suns didn’t budge, Morris returned and re-pledged his allegiance to the team, the season began, Keef’s on-court play struggled and he was benched in favor of Jon Leuer and Mirza Teletovic — all with Marcus Morris providing plenty of background noise on his brother’s unhappiness.

We’ve seen towels thrown and suspensions for Keef, not to mention DNP-CDs and a general uncomfortable air that dominates the room any time the more difficult questions arise about Morris and his relationship with the Suns organization. It may only be a matter of time before Morris is finally dealt to end this unhappy union.

The question is, what would a Morris trade look like?

More from NBA

On the one hand, his trade value has never been lower. He’s developed a league-wide reputation as a head case, he’s been buried on the bench of a 13-26 team and his numbers have dipped to 10.1 points and 4.5 rebounds in only 22.7 minutes per game on a career low 38.1 percent shooting.

On the other hand, Morris’ unhappiness with the organization has contributed to his on-court struggles. The moment Keef suits up for another NBA team, he’d more than likely go back to the guy who had a career year last season at 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game — the type of player a number of teams would covet given the bargain price of three years and $24 million left on his contract after this season.

Here’s a look at five teams that should consider trading for Markieff Morris before the 2016 NBA trade deadline and what those potential trades might look like.

Next: No. 5