Valuable, But Could Be On The Way Out:
- Archie Goodwin – G
- Markieff Morris – F
- P.J. Tucker – F
All three of these guys have played respectable roles with the Suns over the last two years.
Goodwin has been viewed as a project since he was acquired via a draft-day trade in 2013. However, while he has made strides in his progression, Goodwin’s game is very similar to that of Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, making him a little less enticing prospect as a starter.
The additions of Devin Booker in this year’s draft and guards Ronnie Price and Sonny Weems in free agency to play the role of veteran backups have proceeded to cloud Goodwin’s future with the Suns and make the possibility of a trade more likely. Goodwin will stick around in the NBA; it just might not be with the Suns.
Furthermore, Markieff Morris has been a thorn in the side of Suns management since his brother Marcus was shipped to Detroit in July during the LaMarcus Aldridge sweepstakes. A valuable member of the Suns, Keef has averaged 11.4 points and 5.4 rebounds a game in his career with the Suns. Last season, he averaged career-highs in both points and rebounds, posting 15.3 and 6.2 respectively.
Whether he is dealt of not, Keef will only be a problem from this point forward. He is certain he will be out at some point:
My future will not be in Phoenix.... #thatisall #backtothegrind #FOE
— Keef Morris (@Keefmorris) September 4, 2015
So why not package Morris with a very promising young player and a talented veteran?
If the Suns were to offer Keef, Goodwin and P.J. Tucker — a lock-down defender with a respectable three-point shot — for a plethora of picks, an up-and-coming prospect, or a combination of the two, they would kill more than two birds with one stone. The Goodwin vs. Booker debate would be laid to rest, the Keef saga would be over and second-year prospect T.J. Warren could start at small forward.
Best-case scenario for everyone involved.
Next: Here For The Long Haul