Report: Rockets interested in trading for Suns’ Markieff Morris
Dec 7, 2015, 9:33 AM | Updated: 4:57 pm
Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) shoots over Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 27, 2015, in Phoenix. The Warriors won 135-116. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Phoenix Suns lost a 95-93 heartbreaker to the Memphis Grizzlies Sunday afternoon. It was the Suns’ fourth straight loss and eighth in their last nine games.
More interestingly though, was the fact that forward Markieff Morris didn’t play. He’s not injured. Morris got the dreaded “DNP-Coach’s Decision” in the box score.
Morris’ name has been the center of trade rumors since the summer, when he voiced his displeasure with the Suns organization for trading his twin brother, Marcus, to the Detroit Pistons.
Yet, here in early-December, he’s still a member of the Phoenix Suns. He might not be for much longer, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.
ESPN sources say the Houston Rockets have trade interest in Markieff Morris, who was a DNP-CD in the Suns’ narrow loss Sunday to Memphis
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) December 7, 2015
Remains to be seen if other suitors emerge for Markieff Morris, which becomes easier Dec. 15 when 100+ new players become trade eligible
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) December 7, 2015
Stein writes that the Rockets could offer forward Terrence Jones in a deal involving Morris. Jones, a fourth-year player from Kentucky, is currently averaging 11.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while shooting 52 percent from the floor.
Morris, in his fifth year from Kansas, is averaging 12.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest. Those numbers are down from the 2014-15 season, when he averaged a career-high 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds. Also down is Morris’ shooting percentage. After shooting 46.5 percent a season ago, Morris is connecting on a career-low 39 percent of his field goal attempts.
