Markieff Morris (Photo : Reuters File)
The Toronto Raptors have addressed their defensive deficiency by acquiring perimeter locker DeMarre Carroll and rim protector Bismack Biyombo through free-agency. But to keep their offense potent in what will be the first full-blown year of the Raptors' small-ball era, there's one trade out there that needs to happen, and that's for disgruntled forward Markieff Morris of the Phoenix Suns.
With head coach Dwayne Casey leaning more towards small ball, position-less offense, the Raptors are expected to field a team built to outrun teams and counter opponents' small ball tactics as well.
"I think the trend now is smaller basketball but I've always said as long as the goal is 10 foot high, size matters," Casey said during an appearance at the team's summer camp at Humber College on Monday via NBC Sports.
"But DeMarre (Carroll) can play the four, the three. He can guard the four position with LeBron James at the four, Carmelo Anthony at the four, Paul George back and at the four. He helps us in that respect.
Carroll earned his big money this offseason after becoming one of the pivotal reasons behind Atlanta Hawks' regular-season dominance and deep playoff campaign last year. His ability to lock in perimeter players and put up consistent numbers on the offensive end will give the Raptors more versatility in their front-court.
However, the Raptors' pursuit of small ball success will be a lot easier if they would add another player that does the same thing as Carroll. In an era where position-less basketball becomes staple commodity in the NBA, having more versatile players becomes a necessity.
Averaging 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game last season, Morris would be a perfect acquisition for the Raptors as he provides the team size in the interior, and at the same time, another agile player who would thrive in a small but fast-paced lineup.
His 32 percent three-point clip from beyond the arc makes him another floor-spacer, giving Jonas Valanciunas more real estate to operate down low. He can also be effective at the center spot as he showed in some occasions in the Suns small ball unit.
He becomes available on the trading block after venting off his anger towards the Suns' management for trading his twin brother Marcus Morris to the Detroit Pistons a year after signing fresh contracts. The Suns management remains mum on Morris' comments, but many analysts believed the strained relationship between parties would eventually lead to a trade before training camp.
To acquire Morris, the Raptors have to part ways with either Patrick Patterson or Terrence Ross with second round picks as package sweetener to entice the Suns into making the deal. Sacrificing one of these players would be a significant blow to their future, but the Raptors are in a 'win-now' mode that a trade for Morris should outweigh these drawbacks.
