The Phoenix Suns have acquired Houston Rockets forward Marcus Morris, brother of Markieff Morris, in exchange for a second-round draft pick, Yahoo!’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
The move was part additional to another Rockets trade involving the Sacramento Kings, who sent forward Thomas Robinson to Houston and received Patrick Patterson, Toney Douglas and Cole Aldrich.
To make room for the second Morris, Phoenix will need to release a player from the roster. Brian Windhorst of ESPN says Jermaine O’Neal could be bought out if Phoenix can’t deal him before Thursday’s deadline.
Perpetual fans of taking the lesser of two brothers — see Jarron Collins, Robin Lopez, Luke Zeller, Markieff Morris, and Taylor Griffin — Phoenix has avoided any judgments altogether with this move.
Suns jerseys: MARK. MORRIS and MARC. MORRIS?
— Seth Rosenthal (@seth_rosenthal) February 21, 2013
Apparently, the Suns like the Morris’ genes, but it’s a wonder what is in store if they plan to keep Markieff (7.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 39.6 percent shooting). Marcus came out of Kansas as a more perimeter-oriented player, but he’s had similar production (8.6 points and 4.1 rebounds on 42.8 percent shooting). Marcus is, however, shooting a better three-point percentage than his brother — 38 percent to 27 percent — who went one pick ahead of Marcus in the 2011 NBA Draft.
With Markieff struggling to find time behind Luis Scola and despite Channing Frye sitting out the year, it’s hard to say why the Suns made the move. Couple that with Michael Beasley and P.J. Tucker holding down the small forward spot, and it becomes more difficult to judge the move unless this is just the beginning of a busy 24 hours for the Suns.
As @wojyahoonba reported, #Suns agree to trade a 2nd-rd pick to HOU for Marcus Morris. Nearly dealt the 2012 1st-rd pick to get him in 2011.
— Paul Coro (@paulcoro) February 21, 2013
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There had seemingly been much noise and little action with less than 24 hours before Thursday’s trade deadline, and the Suns were one of many teams that had a lot to talk about but seemingly nothing to show for it. As my other VotS pals talked about in our 4-on-4 this week, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
As of now, the Suns seemingly have nothing else going other than the potential of minor deals involving Sebastian Telfair and Jermaine O’Neal. ESPN’s Chris Broussard and 620′s Paul Calvisi report that Phoenix could deal Telfair to the Toronto Raptors, possibly for a second round pick. O’Neal, meanwhile, is drawing interest from the New York Knicks.
Paul Coro also reported that a rumor of Phoenix trading Marcin Gortat and P.J. Tucker to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Kendrick Perkins, Jeremy Lamb and a pick was only speculation from other team executives.
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Meanwhile, the chances of Phoenix landing Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith appear unlikely. As we noted earlier this week, the Suns have little to offer, especially if Gortat isn’t the centerpiece. At the same time, some media reports, including one from Yahoo!’s Adrian Wojnarowski, still put the Suns up with the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets as being top candidates to land Smith should the Hawks be willing.
Whether it be Monta Ellis — rumor has it they might keep Ellis and Brandon Jennings to play with Smith — or otherwise, Milwaukee has a bit more to offer than Phoenix. And Wojnarowski has sources telling him the Nets have a package of Kris Humphries, MarShon Brooks and a pick on the table for Smith. Both scenarios make any offer from the Suns appear extremely weak in comparison.
Update (8:20 p.m. MST): It’s a bit of good news for the anti-Smith contingent of Suns fans that Phoenix appears unwilling to unload its two first-round draft selections for this year in a trade with Atlanta. Ken Berger calls a deal between the Suns and Hawks a “slam dunk” if Phoenix were OK with giving up the two picks.
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Chris Broussard reported that former Phoenix Suns target Eric Gordon is on the trade market. Golden State reportedly had some interest, although not enough confidence in Gordon’s health to greatly consider the move.
Gordon is averaging 16.6 points and 2.7 assists per game this year while shooting just 40.8 percent. He’s still being hampered by a knee injury suffered during the summer.
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Grantland’s Brett Koremenos writes that Jared Dudley is one of the top role players who could turn a winning NBA team into a contender. He sees Dudley fitting in with San Antonio, Atlanta or Milwaukee.
Kevin Zimmerman is the lead blogger and editor for Valley of the Suns. His work can also be seen at AZDesertSwarm.com, an Arizona Wildcats’ blog, and at SB Nation’s NBA section.
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20 responses so far ↓
1 DBreezy // Feb 20, 2013 at 6:11 pm
It’s on now!!!
2 DBreezy // Feb 20, 2013 at 6:14 pm
Wow I see the Rox also added T.Rob today, nice move for them.
3 Curioduo // Feb 20, 2013 at 6:20 pm
I don’t think the Suns can trade for Gordon. I seem to recall that if NOLA matched the offer sheet, the Suns would NOT be an allowable trade destination.
4 Kevin Zimmerman // Feb 20, 2013 at 6:36 pm
@Curioduo You’re right. Forgot about that and edited.
5 IowaPhXfan // Feb 20, 2013 at 6:39 pm
looks like we’re planning on making lots of moves soon…. i like this first move…. marcus morris is a good role player…. Phx FO finally made up for taking the wrong twin! freakin hilarious…. only Phx
6 SkyBill40 // Feb 20, 2013 at 7:10 pm
As much as I want this deal to work out for the two of them, I don’t see this one making much sense. We’re already overloaded at the three, and now they bring in another? Unless the plan is to make room for him by casting off Beasley or Tucker, this move makes no sense. Sure, we got a first rounder out of it for a second round pick, but still.
7 john manhole // Feb 20, 2013 at 7:11 pm
Regardless of who is better than who, we now know for certain that the Suns have the worse of the twin brothers again.
8 ojai1980 // Feb 20, 2013 at 9:55 pm
Um, what? The Suns don’t need any more SF/PF’s. I know it only costs the Suns a 2nd round pick but I hope that when this trade is finalized they get something else thrown in. Go Suns.
9 bkkkkkkkk // Feb 20, 2013 at 10:17 pm
NO way to waive J.O’Neal. Rarely use Garret or Zeller are more possible candidates.
10 ojai1980 // Feb 20, 2013 at 10:44 pm
I wonder if this is a precursor to sending out either jermaine or Gortat or both. Keef could play the 5 in a small ball lineup with Marcus playing the 4. Just wondering. Go Suns!
11 BoomShakaLuka // Feb 20, 2013 at 11:23 pm
Lon Babby, Marcin Gortat to Panda Express for Kung Pao, Orange Chicken and gift certificates.
12 4everis2long // Feb 20, 2013 at 11:58 pm
Regarding Suns consecutive lottery picks Morris and Marshall, they may be the absolute worst lottery picks that any team has had in back to back seasons. Morris does nothing well and Marshall might be the most do nothing point guard I have ever seen. I hope one of them will be moved tomorrow. Marcus is the better of the twins but neither one IMO is an everyday starter at the 4 spot.
If the Suns buy out J. O’neal, who is actually better than Gortat, what is that telling the fans? Let’s hope tomorrow makes sense because we all know we have seen too many senseless moves in recent years.
13 FrederickLopez // Feb 21, 2013 at 2:06 am
I think the Suns draft their players based on potentials. Earl Clark is doing great in LA and Robin Lopez is a solid starter for NO. I hope they hold on Marshall and these twins. Yes Marshall can’t find time now because he can’t shoot. But the way he played during college ball i think its correctable (see Rondo). Plus having the twins play together is a huge chemistry booster. They know each because they played together during college. and maybe all their lives. They certainly know each other.
Lets face it suns won’t win the championship this so it might be better to rebuild now.
14 arizona_jim // Feb 21, 2013 at 2:33 am
Makes sense to buy out O’Neil since his daughter is having open heart surgery in a couple weeks.
15 hawki // Feb 21, 2013 at 3:22 am
@DBreezy
Tyler Honeycutt obviously the key player in that deal…:)
16 hawki // Feb 21, 2013 at 3:24 am
Morris twins will be packaged for a future 2nd round pick.
Suns will then use that pick to draft the Wear twins.
17 TySun // Feb 21, 2013 at 6:11 am
Unless there is another trade on the way, this trade doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense to me. I guess we’ll see as the deadline hour approaches.
18 john manhole // Feb 21, 2013 at 8:20 am
Regarding Rosenthal’s tweet, I think the Should just go with first names for the Morris twins. They could even go And1 Mix Tape on us and just start putting nicknames on the backs. “Dragon.” “‘Kieff.” “Bassy.” “Girltot,” oops, I mean “Polish Hammer.”
19 john manhole // Feb 21, 2013 at 11:38 am
@CurioduoNot until next season, correct. And I wouldn’t want him then, either.
20 john manhole // Feb 21, 2013 at 11:40 am
Current Vegas money line on the Suns getting the Wear brothers: -$250
Current Vegas money line on the Suns getting the Bachynski brothers: +600
I don’t know about you, but I’m throwing down a hundo on the Bachynski line. That’s money in the bank.
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