The Washington Wizards — 23-28 and three games out of the final playoff spot in the East, a hugely disappointing season — needed to roll the dice at the trade deadline. They needed to try to land someone who could be a good fit next to John Wall.
They did — the Suns’ Markieff Morris.
But they gave up a lot to get him. Adrain Wojnarowski of The Vertical at Yahoo Sports broke the story.
Phoenix has traded Markieff Morris to the Wizards, reports @ShamsCharania and @WojVerticalNBA.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 18, 2016
The Wizards send DeJuan Blair, Kris Humphries and future first-round pick to the Suns for Markieff Morris, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 18, 2016
That pick is only top nine protected.
This is a real gamble for the Wizards, but one they were pressured to take because of their terrible season. Morris is athletic and can play the small ball four, but his play this season made other teams hesitant. His scoring is down — 11.6 points and 5.2 rebounds a game — and he’s shooting less than 40 percent. Plus he has argued with Suns coaches and players, and thrown a towel at Jeff Hornacek, all this after last summer being fined for saying he wanted a trade. Then there are the pending criminal charges against him that could lead to more time away from the team. This is a gamble by the Wizards, but Morris is talented and if he fits in they’re improved.
Phoenix had wanted to move Morris since training camp, but his attitude and them lackluster play made other teams hesitant. By being patient the Suns got a real haul — they likely get the Wizards’ pick this June, Kris Humphries is a serviceable big man on a good contract ($4.6 million next season), and they get DeJuan Blair. The Suns were rewarded for being patient with Morris.