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

By Gerald Bourguet

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 /
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Oct 13, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones (6) shoots the ball in the second half against Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets fired head coach Kevin McHale, and that didn’t turn the team’s early struggles around. They moved Ty Lawson to the bench, and that didn’t have much of a lasting impact either. With the Rockets still floundering at 19-19, they’re far from the contenders they fancied themselves to be entering the season.

With Trevor Ariza reportedly available and Terrence Jones being reduced to a bench role, general manager Daryl Morey might not waste more time if he feels this roster can’t compete for a championship. If that’s the case, Markieff Morris is one power forward upgrade Morey could look into.

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    • However, it’s worth noting that even if the Rockets did target this power forward who could stretch the floor from the midrange, Houston would have to work to make the salaries match.

    Trevor Ariza ($8.2 million) and Corey Brewer ($8.2 million) would both work, but neither one of those players would really serve much purpose in Phoenix unless the Suns were also looking to move P.J. Tucker in a deal. Either way, T.J. Warren shouldn’t be buried in the rotation behind any of those small forwards, which is why the Suns would probably want either a draft pick or Terrence Jones as well.

    Beggars can’t be choosers, but the Suns would not give up Keef’s bargain contract for two and a half years or Ariza or Brewer alone, since that position is already set in stone. After all, it’s not like there’s that big a difference in talent between Tucker, Brewer and Ariza at this point.

    Jones is a nice and young stretch-4 in the making, and his value is relatively low at the moment because he’s struggled this season and also because he’s dealt with so many injuries over the last few years. But he’s a restricted free agent this summer, which means Phoenix would likely have to overpay to keep him this summer.

    There are a few options that could transpire here, with Ariza and Brewer being interchangeable (contract-wise) and T-Jones (talent vs. restricted free agency) and a draft pick (a more enticing option vs. the likelihood Houston actually gives one up) each having their pros and cons. But if the Suns really want to move Keef, the Rockets could be their facilitator.

    Next: No. 2