Fansided

Suns’ Markieff Morris fined by NBA for public trade demands

By Kyle Franzoni

Apr 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Pero Antic (6) knocks the ball out of the hands of Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) in the third quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 96-69. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Pero Antic (6) knocks the ball out of the hands of Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) in the third quarter of their game at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 96-69. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NBA stuck its foot into the middle of the battle between the Phoenix Suns and Markieff Morris.

The National Basketball Association has always fought hard to keep its business behind closed doors. Any public outcry against the league or a team is often met with a fun, a slap on the wrist, and in some cases a suspension.

In the case of Markieff Morris and the Phoenix Suns, the former is the first step the league will be taking. According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the league has fined for the Suns’ forward $10,000 for his very public spat with the team. Paul Coro of AZ Central went on to elaborate that the fine was levied specifically “for a public statement detrimental to the NBA.”

The issues between Morris and the team erupted suddenly with the trade of his twin, Marcus Morris, a move that was done in order to help clear salary cap space for an unsuccessful run at LaMarcus Aldridge. Both Morris brothers have been very vocal about the team in the time since, with Markieff noting to CBS, “one thing for sure, I am not going to be there.”

That may be news to the Suns, who have thus far been fairly quiet on the Morris front. They are internally making it known that they don’t intend to move the forward and still feel that things can be worked out, according to CBS Sports. However, discontentment from a player can be difficult to overcome and the two sides may be reaching a point of no return.

Entering his fifth season, Morris averaged 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game while starting all 82 games for the Suns in 2014-15. The 26-year-old is still under contract with Phoenix for the next four seasons and is scheduled to earn $8 million per season during that span.

The Phoenix Suns open their training camp on September 29th, with all players (including Morris) expected to report the day before for physicals. Whether or not a trade will be worked out before then remains to be seen, but it should certainly make for an interesting dynamic in the interim.

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