Suns forward Markieff Morris finds refuge at Grand Canyon University
Sep 23, 2015, 1:20 PM
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Only a few more days remain before the start of Phoenix Suns training camp, and there remains no sign of forward Markieff Morris.
Unlike many of his teammates, Morris has chosen not to participate in any of the informal workouts, including full-court scrimmages, at the soon-to-be-named Talking Stick Resort Arena.
In fact, he’s the only player of the 13 under guaranteed contracts not to show.
Morris, though, has still been spotted around town.
There was his latest in-court appearance Sept. 16, and since then several on-court appearances at Grand Canyon University.
“Markieff and Marcus have worked out here. Marcus has since gone to Detroit, but Markieff has been working out here,” GCU head coach Dan Majerle said Wednesday. “They reached out to me and wanted to know if it’s okay to practice in the gym and I said of course.”
The Morris twins’ relationship with Majerle goes back to Markieff’s first two years in the league when Majerle was a Suns assistant coach.
“I’m all about helping Markieff do what he’s got to do and be the best player possible for the Suns,” Majerle said. “I have great friends still at the Suns, and like I said, they reached out and wanted to know if I was able to open the gym for them. I said, ‘sure, whatever you guys need.’”
Morris’ relationship with the Suns currently is strained, specifically those in the front office, i.e. those that traded his brother Marcus to the Pistons back in July.
He’s gone public with his unhappiness, even going as far as asking for a trade, a request the Suns are unwilling to grant, at least for now.
Morris is upset about 1) how he and his brother found out about their NBA separation, while on vacation and without prior warning and 2) because of an apparent understanding they believe they had with the team that the two would remain together after agreeing to new contracts last offseason.
Morris this season starts a four year, $32 million contract.
Despite his anger and subsequent appearances at GCU, Morris is expected to be at Suns media day next Monday, Sept. 28, the mandatory report date for all veterans.
Training camp begins the next day in Flagstaff.
“I personally like Markieff. I think he’s a good kid. I think he’s very talented,” Majerle said. “Now, is he right? No, but that’s a growing process and he’ll figure it out. So, that’s up to the Suns and him. But, I personally like Markieff. He’s been really nice to me, he’s been a good kid, so I hope for his sake and for the Suns sake he works it out.”
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