Phoenix Suns Trade Deadline Preview: Who Will Get Traded And How?
Markieff Morris
Why The Suns Trade Him:
How much time do you have? Though Markeiff Morris is locked in for the next three seasons at a bargain rate of $8 million a year, he’s been a recurring migraine for the Suns for the last year and a half. From finishing second in the league in technical fouls to calling out the home crowd support to the two felony counts of aggravated assault, Keef was already on thin ice last year, when he was in the middle of a career season.
But then he demanded to be traded following the forced departure of his brother Marcus Morris to Detroit; came out completely flat to start the 2015-16 season after Phoenix called his bluff; got benched for Jon Leuer; threw a towel at Hornacek; got suspended; had his best game of the season in his first appearance under Earl Watson; and got into a sideline shoving match with teammate Archie Goodwin.
Nothing Morris does looks good at this point, and the Suns are certainly hoping his 20.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game on 44.8 percent shooting in five games under Watson have raised his problematic trade value enough to meet McDonough’s asking price.
Potential Obstacles:
Speaking of McDonough’s asking price, that may be the biggest obstacle to moving Keef before the Feb. 18 trade deadline (though they could also wait until the summer to move him). According to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, McDonough is looking for a future first-rounder AND a talented young player in a deal for Morris. In terms of on-court value, that makes sense.
But when you factor in his poor performance this year and reputation as a head case, that asking price may be enough to dissuade potential suitors — you know, provided his poor performance this year and reputation as a head case haven’t already done the trick. Either way, the Arizona Republic’s Paul Coro reports the Suns are committed to moving him, so it’s only a matter of time.
Teams That Might Be Interested:
Chicago Bulls:
We covered what a Tucker and Keef swap might look like with the Bulls, but a straight up trade of Markieff Morris for Taj Gibson and a future draft pick might work too. The Suns would get Gibson, who has another year left on his deal to occupy the power forward spot, and a draft pick of some sort.
The Bulls would receive a talented 26-year-old on a bargain salary through the 2018-19 season, though including a future draft pick may lead to a stalemate in negotiations. The Suns may also prefer a younger player than the 30-year-old Gibson.
Detroit Pistons:
The Suns grant Markieff Morris his greatest wish to play with his brother Marcus Morris again, while the Suns acquire a talented sharpshooter in Jodie Meeks and a future draft pick.
But Morris would add another forward to a crowded Detroit Pistons frontcourt, and Meeks has been injured for all but the first two games of the season. Detroit’s first-rounder also wouldn’t be worth as much in the future, since this team is likely on its way up the Eastern Conference food chain.
Miami Heat:
This blockbuster deal would net the Suns half a season of Luol Deng before he hits free agency and would give them the chance to make Hassan Whiteside a hefty offer to re-sign in Phoenix. The Heat would add more firepower to the bench (or possibly the starters if Chris Bosh is out for the rest of the year) along with Tucker’s 3-and-D services.
Miami wants to avoid overpaying a head case like Whiteside this summer, and if Morris could get his act together, he’d be on a bargain deal for the foreseeable future. But the Suns would be trading one problem child for another, and should stay as far away from Whiteside as possible. Just imagine what practice between he and Alex Len would be like….
Orlando Magic:
The Magic once again deal away a player they’ve got on the trade block, while adding a talented 26-year-old who would help move the needle closer to the playoffs. A future draft pick would have to be included, but most Suns fans would probably accept a return like this.
However, Keef’s reputation as a head case could dissuade the front office from trading for him — even in a deal revolving around a 32-year-old stretch-4. This return might not be enough for McDonough either, since Frye doesn’t exactly fit the description of “young.”
Philadelphia 76ers:
Again, Robert Covington might be a bit of an overrated asset in terms of trade value that the Sixers have to offer, but if the Suns could swindle Sam Hinkie into including a future first-rounder (perhaps with an extra nudge from Colangelo), they’d be able to get rid of Keef once and for all.
Covington could help out on the wing behind Tucker (or Warren, if Tucker is traded elsewhere), Landry would provide a locker room presence and the first-rounder would be a nice return from a team that has plenty of them to offer. The Sixers would add a native Philadelphian who couldn’t leave in free agency for three years, making him a useful piece to build with.
Houston Rockets:
If the Rockets decide to blow up shop, adding a talented player on a bargain long-term salary is a good place to start — behavioral problems be damned. The Rockets may not want any part of Terrence Jones‘ restricted free agency, and Trevor Ariza shouldn’t be off limits by any means.
Ariza would be signed on in Phoenix through 2017-18, making him a trade asset for the Suns moving forward, while the Suns could re-sign Jones with their extra cap space, giving the 24-year-old the opportunity to grow with a team that hasn’t already given up on him.
Memphis Grizzlies:
It’s time for the Memphis Grizzlies to start thinking about the future, especially since they lose their draft pick if it falls into the 6-14 range (A.K.A., the Grizzlies miss the playoffs). With Marc Gasol dealing with a broken foot, Morris would help in the short-term AND the long-term in the post Zach Randolph era.
The Suns would enjoy a few months of Jeff Green and pocket a future first round draft pick, which might become more valuable if the Grizzlies fail to re-sign Mike Conley in free agency this summer.
New Orleans Pelicans:
The Pelicans add a long-term frontcourt partner for Anthony Davis, moving the Brow to the 5-spot where the front office is hopeful he can develop. They also don’t have to worry about paying $16-18 million a year to Ryan Anderson after re-signing him to a max deal in free agency this summer.
That would become the Suns’ problem, but if he proved to be the idyllic stretch-4 fans believe him to be, Phoenix would have cap space to spare. However, the Suns could do better than this for Keef, even if their main return in another deal simply revolved around future picks.
Oklahoma City Thunder:
The Thunder get a backup behind Serge Ibaka who could also hold his own in small-ball lineups against the Warriors, while only giving up the expendable Dion Waiters, the never-used Mitch McGary and possibly a future draft pick.
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Meanwhile, the Suns let Waiters walk in the summer, give the tantalizing, 23-year-old McGary as many minutes as possible to let him develop and, ideally, pocket a future first-rounder from OKC.