Fansided

8 players who could use a change of scenery

By Luke Dahlgren

Nov 21, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks for a passing lane during the first quarter of a basketball game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) looks for a passing lane during the first quarter of a basketball game against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 29, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) goes to the basket against Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) at Air Canada Centre. The Suns beat the Raptors 107-102. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) goes to the basket against Toronto Raptors forward Patrick Patterson (54) at Air Canada Centre. The Suns beat the Raptors 107-102. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Markieff Morris – PF, Phoenix Suns

Markieff Morris has endured an abysmal season for the Phoenix Suns since the team traded his brother Marcus to the Detroit Pistons.

2015 Markieff Morris stats (18 games, 25.1 MPG)
11.4 PPG, 5.2 REB, 1.7 AST, 38.6 FG%, 27.9 3P%, 72.7 FT%

There are two possible reasons Morris has struggled:

  1. *Less likely – He is seriously slumping adjusting to the new personnel in Phoenix, and therefore he should play elsewhere
  2. *More likely – He is playing poorly on purpose because he wants out of Phoenix and is trying to force a trade

If the second possibility is true, then the Suns are faced with a conundrum. They could certainly give in to Morris’ passive trade demands, a move that would likely benefit their team in the short term by ridding themselves of an apparently cancerous force on the team. It would also set a negotiation precedent for the front office; a mid-level player like Morris would have shown star-level ability to make a power move and force his own way off of the team.

Regardless of which possibility is true, Morris’ stay in Phoenix is tenuous. The New Orleans Pelicans are apparently interested in acquiring Morris, with Ryan Anderson as the possible target for the Suns. With Anderson’s contract expiring while he looks to lock down a more permanent starting role, the trade makes sense for both sides.

Markieff Morris’ new home: Houston Rockets

Adding Morris to a Rockets team already in disarray might be a recipe for disaster. But this team is in desperate need of defensive intensity (or really any intensity at all), and they will need to upgrade the power forward spot over Clint Capela and Terrence Jones.

Next: Kenneth Faried

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