The Phoenix Suns have to face the fact that Markieff Morris, starting forward and half of the Morris twins, has demanded a trade.
The Suns cannot sugarcoat it anymore, Markieff Morris has publicly demanded a trade. Aside from injury, this is a General Manager's worst nightmare as it takes away all trade leverage.
In his own words, Morris clearly stated that he really wants out. Morris is a native of Philadelphia, the "City of Brotherly Love," which makes his disdain from getting separated from his brother all the more appropriate.
"One thing for sure, I am not going to be there," he told the Philadelphia Inquirer, referring to the Phoenix Suns next season.
His other statements make it even clearer: "If you want to put that out there, you can put that out. I don't give a [freak]. I am not going to be there at all. That's just what it is."
On the Suns' upcoming training camp: "I've got to show up. No question." "You can't do that(not attend). I will be a professional. Don't get me wrong."
However, for the season opening: "But it won't get that far. ... I'm going to be out before then, should be."
Morris felt they (twins) were disrespected by the Suns' management. It was not a requirement that they be kept together, as Marcus said: "I'm a grown man. I can stand on my own. I play on my own. It's just the disrespectful side. What we did for the Suns, the pay cuts we took and for them to trade me without consent is what made me more disappointed and is what made me more upset."
Now that it's out there, the Suns have to pick up the pieces. Markieff is the better Morris and at $8 million, is one of the better bargain contracts a team can pick up.
He has a ton of offcourt issues, an assault charge no less, and this latest outburst does not help his case. Perhaps training camp is the only way for him to show that he can still provide what a pro basketball player should-and it's probable that he understands this.
Phoenix also needs to show his good side for this situation to be salvaged. If they do, Bleacher Report has this possibility:
"Acquiring Gibson would be a boon for the Suns' already-revamped defense. They signed Tyson Chandler to a four-year deal in free agency, and sophomore T.J. Warren delivered the two-way goods during the NBA's Las Vegas Summer League."
The proposal has Phoenix taking Taj Gibson and Kirk Hinrich's contract in exchange for Markieff and a second round draft pick. Since the Suns appear to have the disadvantage because of the trade demand, they still have draft picks to spare.