Suns 5-On-5: The Markieff Morris Roundtable

By Gerald Bourguet | Aug 20, 2015

Feb 8, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) shoots the ball between Sacramento Kings forward Jason Thompson (34) and center DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

1 of 5

Suns

Feb 8, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) shoots the ball between Sacramento Kings forward Jason Thompson (34) and center DeMarcus Cousins (15) during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

The Phoenix Suns are facing a tough situation with Markieff Morris. After the team’s starting power forward stated his intentions to be traded before the season starts, the Suns lost all leverage to actually do so. We gathered five of our Valley of the Suns staff writers to tackle all angles of this complicated situation with a new Suns 5-on-5.

ALSO ON VALLEY OF THE SUNS: Top 10 Suns Home Games To Watch In 2015-16

1) What’s the best-case scenario for this Markieff Morris situation, realistically?

Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet): The Suns aren’t getting equal return for Markieff Morris in a trade at this point, so if they want to make the playoffs, the best-case scenario would be Keef changing his mind about playing in Phoenix. Whether that’s by a miraculous change of heart, enough time passing or the Suns having to suspend him without pay until he snaps out of it, Phoenix would be far better off with Keef for the long-term than with any player they’re getting in a trade for him right now.

Scott Chasen (@SChasenKU): Best case? Markieff Morris plays out the season like a professional, and the whole issue slowly fades away. This doesn’t seem to be super likely at this point, but honestly, it’s still not out of the realm of possibility.

More from Suns News

Mark Harris (@Harris_Mark7): Well since Markieff Morris prefers to be traded to either Toronto or Houston, both of whom were playoff teams last year with some decent pieces to offer, the Suns could certainly get a positive return for Markieff. If he ends up in Toronto, I could easily see someone like Patrick Patterson heading to Phoenix.

Although Houston has plenty of quality players, I don’t see them trading any of their top bench players for someone like Markieff. So that being said, the best case scenario would be to receive a few decent players from Toronto, unless Phoenix can somehow pull off a trade from Houston for a player like Donatas Motiejunas or Corey Brewer.

Spencer Hann (@spencer_hann): A trade that results in Markieff leaving and a starting caliber power forward coming to the Suns, obviously. How possible is this scenario? After looking around the league at potential transactions and playing with the NBA Trade Machine, it’s possible, but not likely. If Phoenix wishes to obtain a skilled, starting power forward in any Markieff trade, they will likely need to throw in another player (Archie Goodwin) or a couple draft picks.

Gavin Schall (@GavinSchall): LeBron James demands out of Cleavland and in a fit of rage, Dan Gilbert immediately ships him (along with a nice amount of stock in Fathead) to Phoenix for Keef. Fine…realistically, the Suns hold on to him, Markieff and the rest of team plays well, staying in the thick of the playoff race. All of the noise of him wanting out dies down, and McDonough can do with him as he pleases without a gun to his head.

Next: No. 2