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Phoenix Suns: Predictions For The 2015-2016 Season

By Troy Tauscher

Sep 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns (from left) forward P.J. Tucker , forward Markieff Morris , center Tyson Chandler and forward T.J. Warren pose for a portrait during media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns (from left) forward P.J. Tucker , forward Markieff Morris , center Tyson Chandler and forward T.J. Warren pose for a portrait during media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris reacts as he speaks to the media during media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris reacts as he speaks to the media during media day at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Prediction  No. 2: Markieff Morris plays the entire season with the Suns

This may seem like a moderately warm take. Markieff is likely still not too happy with the Suns, and his contract and ability make him a good trade chip (legal issues notwithstanding).

However, the reason I think Morris stays is the same reason I never really bought into the Suns appeasing his trade demand. The reality is that the Suns are unlikely to get equal present value for him. Unless my fake Leuer prediction is accurate or something else happens, the Suns will need a starting caliber 4 to replace him.

Those don’t grow on trees and the Suns are more reliant on Morris than people may realize. In fact, more than they maybe should be.

Morris’ isolation, or even passing, out of the midrange is a big part of the Suns’ offense, especially in crunch time. He’s certainly not terrible at it. Markieff shot 45 percent in isolation situations, about middle of the pack for players who isolated 50+ times last season.

The Suns need something of relatively equivalent productive value to trade Morris. Those kinds of offers simply will not be forthcoming for Morris, at least until his legal issues clear up.

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The obvious question is why not trade him for role players and a pick? Here’s my counter: The Suns haven’t made the playoffs since 2010 and the fanbase is getting ever more antsy. I would know. I’m a part of it.

The kind of asset-playing that characterized general manager Ryan McDonough in his first year is gone to some degree. That’s evidenced by moves like the Brandon Knight trade. An immediate downgrade, especially one that isn’t for a great future asset, is not something the front office seems willing to accept.

That may just be reading into things that aren’t there, but at this point, it seems like the Suns want to be in the playoffs at least once before they consider taking steps back. That desire seems irreconcilable with the current or short-term market for Morris. Hence, I anticipate he stays in Phoenix for the year.

Next: No. 3

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