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Markieff Morris, Anyone?

Markieff Morris, Anyone?

If you haven't heard, Markieff Morris, upset that his twin brother Marcus was recently traded to the Detroit Pistons, cut off all communication with the Phoenix Suns front office, coaching staff and players. Averaging 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal last year, the 25 year old stretch four was an integral part of the Suns rotation, but now wants out.

Suns fans are bracing for a trade: ValleyOfTheSuns Article With Markieff Morris Trade Scenarios

You might remember that just recently the Suns signed the Morris Twins to a multi year joint contract that they could split amongst themselves. Word at the time was that they had a joint bank account, so it all went to the same place. Apparently, Markieff's portion still has three years and $24million left on it.

The Suns are not strong at either forward spot. The Suns were preparing to go forward with PJ Tucker and Markieff, with Tyson Chandler in the middle. Without Morris, the Suns could start second year man TJ Warren at the four. Phoenix also signed Mirza Teletovic, otherwise known as MT3. After that, there's Jon Leuer. Suns fans were not in love with the Twins, and perhpas especially so after they got involved in some legal trouble. But with no leverage, Phoenix is in a pickle.

The Suns are over the cap, but nowhere close to the luxury tax. They have a lot of draft picks if they need to pay someone to take him, although that's probably not necessary with his talent. Phoenix probably won't get equal value, but they won't have to pay someone to get rid of him. That is, unless there's more to his reputation than is publicly known (like the Ty Lawson situation).

The Valley of the Suns article offered nine trade scenarios. I think the Miami option was intriguing. Mario Chalmers and Josh McRoberts for Markieff Morris. The Heat would shave around $2M salary and, thus, around $6M in luxury taxes. Plus they'd get a superior verison of Michael Beasley, their former #2 pick.

I think the most obvious place for him was not mentioned, the Portland Trailblazers. The Blazers frontcourt is comprised of Mason Plumlee, Meyers Leonard, Ed Davis and Noah Vonleh. Noah Vonleh for Markieff Morris works for both teams. That is, if Portland is not tanking for a draft pick this year.

[Of course, I want Portland to take Morris for in exchange for nothing (like the Lawson deal), s he can eat up $8m of their cap space, making them less competition for us at the trade deadline.]

Then there's the Sixers.

Don't blame me. I'm not the one who suggested it. ValleyOfTheSuns put it out there. Carl Landry's $8M for Markieff Morris' 3yrs/$24M. The Suns get a rugged rebounding, defensive powerforward that they don't already have, while making room for TJ Warren and Teletovic, and clearing $16M off the books for 2016 and 2017. The author even posited that the Suns might have to part with a draft pick.

For us, Morris is an opportunity buy at the Outlet Mall. He doesn't exactly fit, since our starting frontcourt is pretty much set with Okafor and Noel. He could come off the bench, since Richaun Holmes and Furkan Aldemir are far from sure things in the NBA. But would he want to come home to Philly as one of the oldest guys on the team and sit behind Nerlens? It'd be great for us if he appreciates that he'll still get thirty minutes a game. When other teams go small, Noel in the middle and Markieff at the power could be very effective.

I have to believe the Suns will have better options. But if Phoenix is over a barrel and it only costs us Carl Landry, I'd love it we took advantage of it. His $8M on our books next year doen't keep us from offering max deals and is actually a fantastic deal when the cap goes up, especially considering Tobias Harris got $15M/yr.

On top of that, collecting assets like Morris may push that much furhter along towards packaging picks and players for a star player. If OKC decides trade Kevin Durant, might it be easier for us to get in on that deal, either as the trade partner or just a facilitator like we did with Kevin Love, if we have Morris to throw in there?

Hopefully, while Robert Covington was at the Rumph Classic, he was also chatting up Markieff and finding out if we wants to come and be a leader on the hometown squad.



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