Fansided

One trade every NBA team needs to make

By Tom West

MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 19: Hassan Whiteside (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 19: Hassan Whiteside (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: Nene Hilario (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: Nene Hilario (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Phoenix Suns

Markieff Morris has moved into a bigger role with the Suns since Earl Watson replaced Jeff Hornacek as head coach, and it’s paid off in terms of his production. However, it could easily be to increase his trade value, as it’s hard to see that he’s gone from a pain in the organization to a key feature of the team going forward.

In fact, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports has reported that Watson may be playing Morris out of desperation to earn a few wins and improve his standing as coach, and that it still looks like the Suns’ plan is to trade him:

"It wasn’t in the Suns’ best interest to play Morris major minutes when he wasn’t a part of the future. [Earl] Watson will play him out of desperation to help him win games — or at least be competitive — and look good so he can have a legitimate shot at the job. Getting the most out of Morris will prove Watson’s worth as a coach. Morris should have been shown the door a long time ago. But he is still here and just now decided to earn some of the $8 million he is making. But it remains in the Suns’ best interest to move him and that continues to be what the plan is."

So, who could the Suns get in return for Morris? He’s been linked to a few teams already, but one possibility that could help Phoenix would be making a deal with the Wizards. By offering Morris and a wing such as Sonny Weems to Washington, the Suns can receive Nene Hilario and a future second round draft pick.

Nene has missed some time this year but he’s still been coming off the bench for the Wizards and is averaging less than 20 minutes per game, so his value clearly isn’t too high. Adding Morris gives them a new versatile combo forward as they’ve opted to use Jared Dudley as their stretch power forward, whereas Nene coming to Phoenix gives the Suns a stronger interior presence in their frontcourt.

It’s surprising Morris has lasted this long, so adding a draft pick and a solid defender and mid-range shooter like Nene could be worth their while.

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