Phoenix Suns acquire Washington Wizards point-guard Monte Morris
Unlike Rose, Monte Morris is a new member of his team and thus cannot be traded until December 15th. The Wizards have better talent than the Knicks sure, but there is no guarantee that their core will gel together.
Assuming that the Wizards get off to a slow start, their front office could be in the market of selling their players to the highest bidding playoff team. If the Suns do not address their backup point-guard problems, then Morris may be a perfect fit for them.
His scoring punch made him a fan favorite in Denver and he has the ability to stretch the floor from deep. I think the aspect of his game that gets unfairly overlooked is his passing. Morris may be listed at 6’2”, but he doesn’t let his small frame hinder him from getting the job done efficiently.
Since his rookie year, Morris has finished with an effective field goal percentage of at least 54% in three out of four seasons. The only season below that mark was the 2020-21 season, in which Morris finished with an effective field goal percentage of 51.7%.
His knack for playmaking is also silky smooth. Morris had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.27:1 last season with the Denver Nuggets. In comparison the aforementioned Rose had an assist-to- turnover ratio of 2.68:1.
Morris may not have nearly the same NBA experience as Rose but he has shown that he is just as, if not more adept at running an offense without turning over the ball. He’s also a better shooter despite Rose’s improvement in this regard. While Rose now boasts a three-point shooting percentage of 40% for the past two seasons, Morris has either hit or just barely missed that mark in every season he’s played.
The disadvantages of Morris over Rose would mostly be felt on the defensive end, given he’s at least a few inches shorter and 15 pounds lighter. If you are playing a team with a lot of long and explosive guards, Morris could find himself played off the floor.
Ultimately, Rose is a better fit for what the Suns bench needs. However, Morris is still a much more dynamic scorer and better playmaker than any of the backup guards currently, making him a nice upgrade if it were to eventuate.
Interestingly enough, Morris’ contract is close to the value of Payne’s. The Wizards may be willing to swap players if the Suns were to sweeten the pot by adding a first-round pick and perhaps a second-rounder as well.