Markieff Morris – despite speaking to the contrary once – clearly doesn’t want to be in Phoenix. He made that clear all offseason long. Now, he’s throwing towels at his coach and playing terribly.
So, why don’t the Suns just trade him?
Zach Lowe of ESPN:
Markieff's trade value is to the point that other teams are asking an asset -- Goodwin, for instance -- in exchange for taking him.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) December 24, 2015
Suns rightfully won't do that. But it feels like the team just needs a shake-up of some kind in the next couple of weeks.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) December 24, 2015
The three years and $24 million remaining on Morris’ contract after this season were once thought to be a bargain, especially with the salary cap skyrocketing. It shows how far he’s fallen that nobody wants him on that contract.
The Pelicans were never going to trade Ryan Anderson for Morris. Likewise, the Rockets weren’t dealing Terrence Joes for Morris. Those productive players could be part of a larger deal, but Phoenix would have to send out additional positive pieces.
The Suns are wise not to throw a good asset after bad. Morris’ salary won’t preclude them from having major cap room this summer, and they could always stretch him if need be.
If Morris wants out of Phoenix, he’ll have to start playing and/or behaving better to make a trade realistic.