Markieff Morris Demands Trade

Suns forward Markieff Morris said that he feels disrespected by the way the team handled the July 9th trade of his twin and former teammate, Marcus Morris, to the Pistons, and made clear that he wants out of Phoenix prior to the 2015/16 season commencing, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer relays. “One thing for sure, I am not going to be there,” Markieff said this morning. “If you want to put that out there, you can put that out,” he added. “. . . I am not to going to be there at all.” The comments essentially confirm last week’s report from John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 radio that Markieff wanted off the Suns. Markieff is slated to make $8MM this coming season in the first year of his four-year, $32MM extension.

Markieff is aware that if he refuses to play, the Suns can suspend him without pay if they’re unwilling to release or trade him, Pompey adds. He is scheduled to report to training camp at the end of September. “I’ve got to show up. No question.” said Markieff. “You can’t do that. I will be a professional. Don’t get me wrong. But it won’t get that far. . . . I’m going to be out before then, should be.”

According to the forward, he’s not disappointed that the Suns traded Marcus to the Pistons, where he is likely to get more opportunities to succeed, but he is upset in how he and his brother were notified by the team, Pompey relays. The twins were informed of the deal with Detroit while on vacation out of the United States, the Inquirer scribe adds. Markieff also believes that the trade of Marcus had nothing to do with the brothers’ legal troubles, but rather to clear salary cap space for a run at unrestricted free agent LaMarcus Aldridge, who instead signed with the Spurs, adds Pompey.

The 25-year-old appeared in 82 contests last season for the Suns, all as a starter, and posted averages of 15.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 31.5 minutes per game, with a slash line of .465/.318/.763.