Phoenix Suns power forward Markieff Morris (L) dives for the loose ball against Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Phoenix Suns are reportedly close to dealing power forward Markieff Morris as the December 14 trade restriction deadline for newly-signed free agents expires on Tuesday and a swap with the New Orleans Pelicans for Ryan Anderson is said to be one of the team's primary options.
Fansided's Maxwell Ogden listed down five "noteworthy players" who are "garnering interest" as the league opens its unofficial "trade season", and the 26-year-old Morris is one of them together with Anderson, the Pacers' Solomon Hill, the Rockets' Terrence Jones, and the T'Wolves' Shabazz Muhammad.
Ogden noted that "Morris has gone from one of the most intriguing players in the NBA to a forgotten option behind Jon Leuer and Mirza Teletovic" in the Suns' depth chart.
The former Kansas standout and twin brother of Detroit's Marcus was not used by Phoenix head coach Jeff Hornacek during the last three games and played only seven minutes throughout the team's last five matches, indicating the inevitable is about to happen.
Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania revealed earlier this month that "the Suns and Pelicans have had preliminary contact about a potential trade, but Morris' pending felony aggravated assault charges remain a possible obstacle for virtually every team interested in making a deal".
Morris is definitely a trade asset as he is considered as one of the most versatile power forwards in the league right now. He is basically a stretch four, a type of player in-demand in today's trend of playing "small ball" basketball. He has decent offensive and defensive games that would be valuable in any team he will play with.
Meanwhile, Anderson is the 2012 Most Improved Player and at 6-foot-10 and certainly commands a lot of respect from opposing defenses even from beyond the arc. He is also a stretch four that fits the Suns' offense quite well and Hornacek would definitely want to use him more than their current disgruntled forward.
