Markieff Morris has strong take about Suns’ firing of GM Ryan McDonough

Markieff Morris wasn’t the only starting-caliber player now-former Phoenix Suns general manager Ryan McDonough didn’t jive with in his five years leading the team.

Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe also left Phoenix after public spats with the team’s front office.

But none of them had as big of a beef as Morris, who grew upset when the Suns dealt twin brother Marcus Morris to the Detroit Pistons in the summer of 2015 to free up cap space in an eventually-failed chase of free agent power forward LaMarcus Aldridge.

So when Phoenix fired McDonough on Monday, Morris, now with the Washington Wizards, wasn’t hiding his opinion of the matter.

Bout time lol

— Keef Morris (@Keefmorris) October 8, 2018

A day later upon learning that the Suns were reportedly leaning toward hiring James Jones to replace McDonough, Marcus weighed in as well.

Good so I can love Phoenix again! 😂😂😂 https://t.co/yWOeLViPxR

— Marcus Morris (@MookMorris2) October 9, 2018

The Morris twins had put themselves in a unique position. In 2014, they agreed to long-term deals with Phoenix worth $52 million combined, an amount that the team allowed the twins to split how they saw fit.

A year later, Marcus Morris was traded and later called the Suns’ deal to Detroit a “slap in the face,” while Markieff began demanding a trade before reporting to Suns camp for the 2015-16 season.

His distaste for McDonough’s practices apparently haven’t been lost over the year.

Meanwhile, fellow former Sun Jared Dudley, who signed as a free agent with the Suns two years ago and was traded to Brooklyn this offseason, appeared to find the move curious.

That’s probably because it came just more than a week before the regular season began, after McDonough had hired a new coaching staff and drafted No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton this summer.

Dudley also believes vice president of basketball operations James Jones, who is in charge on an interim basis, has a good chance at taking the job permanently.

James Jones is a perfect fit 👌🏽👌🏽 https://t.co/VjisqbS9Jz

— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) October 8, 2018

But much of the reaction to McDonough’s firing — agree with it or not — was about the timing of the matter.

Bout time lol, they shoulda been did that.

— Mike James (@TheNatural_05) October 8, 2018

First Earl wanted me not Ryan. Second i don’t think he was the right person for that job. So there is my response to whatever u got going on https://t.co/578INJ4int

— Mike James (@TheNatural_05) October 8, 2018

This decade’s WTF Are They Doing? NBA franchises (updated 10/8/18)
—1. Kings
—2. Magic
—3. Suns ⬆️
—4. Nets
—5. Knicks
—6. Pistons
—7. Lakers ⬇️

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) October 8, 2018

Just a tip for whoever interviews for the Suns GM job, when the owner asks you how you feel about point guards, the correct answer is that you want at least one NBA-starter caliber PG on the roster.

(but probably not as many as three)

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) October 8, 2018

The timing of this firing is mind boggling. McDonough has two years left on his contract – just signed an extension last year. Suns let McDonough hire a new coach, draft three players, make trades, sign free agents and now will go with a new GM?

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) October 8, 2018

Wouldn’t be surprised if David Griffin landed an interview with his old employer for the now open Suns GM job.

— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) October 8, 2018

Stunned by the timing of this: Suns announce they’ve fired GM Ryan McDonough. VP/Basketball Ops James Jones & assistant GM Trevor Bukstein will handle interim duties: Jones will manage basketball operations, Bukstein will be the primary contact for player transactions.

— David Aldridge (@daldridgetnt) October 8, 2018

My question for Suns Robert Sarver is why now? You can certainly critique the resume of Ryan McDonough but why not let him go before the draft/free agency and not 1 week before the season starts.

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) October 8, 2018

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