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NBA Trade Rumors: Noteworthy Players Garnering Interest

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 1, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad (15) against the Orlando Magic at Target Center. The Magic defeated the Timberwolves 96-93. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shabazz Muhammad (15) against the Orlando Magic at Target Center. The Magic defeated the Timberwolves 96-93. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris reacts against the Detroit Pistons at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris reacts against the Detroit Pistons at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Markieff Morris, Phoenix Suns

Position: Power Forward

Age: 226

Slash Line: .386/.279/.727

Season Averages: 25.1 MPG, 11.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.2 ORPG, 1.7 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.7 3PM

Markieff Morris has gone from one of the most intriguing players in the NBA to a forgotten option behind Jon Leuer and Mirza Teletovic. Making $8.0 million in 2015-16, Morris has been on the receiving end of a number of healthy scratches.

He’s going to be traded, and multiple teams have interest in helping the Phoenix Suns make that happen.

The Morris sweepstakes began with Marc Stein of ESPN reporting the Houston Rockets’ interest in the embattled power forward.

It continued with Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania of Yahoo! Sports revealing that the Suns have engaged in preliminary talks with the New Orleans Pelicans about a Morris deal that would send Ryan Anderson to Phoenix.

"The New Orleans Pelicans have emerged as a suitor with interest in acquiring disgruntledPhoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris, league sources told Yahoo Sports. The Suns and Pelicans have had preliminary contact about a potential trade, but Morris’pending felony aggravated assault chargesremain a possible obstacle for virtually every team interested in making a deal, sources told Yahoo. Nevertheless, the Pelicans have significant interest in pairing Morris on a frontline with Anthony Davis."

Two teams that made the playoffs in 2014-15 have expressed interest in Morris as a potential asset.

Morris is certainly a unique player. He’s 6’10”, explosive around the basket, competent in the mid-post, and dangerous enough to keep a team honest from beyond the arc. His ability to score in virtually every way has endeared him to a number of viewers.

The road block may be Morris’ turbulent 2015 offseason. If he continues to be a model teammate by saying the right things to the media, however, that could be somewhat overlooked by teams around the NBA.

Morris is a versatile power forward, and those are always going to generate trade interest.

Next: Big Time Scoring Potential

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