NBA Trade Rumors: 5 destinations for Markieff Morris

By John Buhler | Jan 18, 2016

Jan 12, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) looks to shoot the ball while Indiana Pacers forward C.J. Miles (0) defends in the first half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat the Phoenix Suns by the score of 116-97. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Marcus Morris (right) against identical twin brother Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Eastern Conference. Detroit Pistons. 3. player. 64. . Central Division

Who wouldn’t want to see the Morris Twins together again? Maybe not Detroit Pistons’ head coach Stan Van Gundy, but he did survive the Josh Smith quagmire last season, so a double dose of Morris can’t be that bad, right?

Once could argue that paring Markieff and Marcus again could help the Pistons push further in the Eastern Conference Playoffs race. The Pistons have a great head coach, a strong frontcourt, and a decent shooting team from outside. Detroit might be able to get out of the first round as the roster currently stands, but may look to improve things before the NBA Trade Deadline.

Van Gundy has developed somewhat of a reputation for overspending or giving up too much in a trade for a player he really likes. This stems from his time in Orlando and has followed him to Detroit since becoming the Pistons coach last year. Van Gundy overpaid to get wing Rashard Lewis that helped catapult the late 2000s Magic to being a championship caliber team. He also paid a great deal to keep point guard Reggie Jackson as a long-term solution for the Pistons, despite not being a regular starter until coming to Detroit via a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder last season.

Morris would have the opportunity to play with his brother again — something he wants to do — but this time it would be for a legitimate playoff contender. Detroit has the players that Van Gundy could use to pull off a trade with the Phoenix Suns for Markieff Morris. Power forward Ersan Ilyasova would likely have to be in a deal involving Morris and maybe a guard like injured Brandon Jennings or crafty veteran Steve Blake.

Next: 2. New Orleans Pelicans

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