The Suns' Markieff Morris (left) and the Rockets' Terrence Jones. (Photo : Reuters)
Reports are out that the Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets are close in reaching an agreement to swap young power forwards Markieff Morris and Terrence Jones in a one-on-one move with the league's salary cap and luxury tax rules as the only alleged hindrances in getting the deal done.
The two teams were said to be currently working their way around the cap and tax threshold and could possibly include a third team in the transaction.
The Suns knew that they have nothing more to gain in trying to keep Morris in Phoenix, even if he is arguably the best player in their current lineup. Having an unhappy player is worse than developing a raw rookie, but still management would like to maximize what they could get in return for the 25-year-old stretch four.
Two months after they traded his twin brother to the Pistons, the 6-foot-10 former Kansas Jayhawk is still with the Suns even after he publicly demanded to be traded to the Rockets early this month, as reported by Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.
Houston was said to be a willing partner and the team reportedly would like to include its own stretch four, the 23-year-old Jones, in the package.
SB Nation actually suggested that Phoenix should make sure any trade between them and Houston involving Morris must include the former Kentucky standout. Why? Because getting Jones is just like having Morris, but only happier.
Even though Jones was coming off an injury-riddled year where he only played 33 games last season for the Rockets, his true potential is simply not exploited by Houston.
Markieff would thrive in Houston's penetrate and kick out to shooters style of offense while Jones would be good in Phoenix's more deliberate system led by Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight.
As of now, it remains to be seen when will this trade be finalized.
