Markieff Morris gives the impression that he’s at ease with his situation in Phoenix, even amid his benching, and Suns coach Jeff Hornacek has expressed confidence that Morris will regain his shooting touch, as Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic details. Morris said that he knew when Hornacek told him he was taking him out of the rotation for the team’s December 6th game in an effort to match up better against the Grizzlies that the move wouldn’t merely be for a single night, but the power forward was vague when asked if he wants to be traded, according to Coro.
“I’m just here for the Phoenix Suns,” Morris said. “That’s all I can be.”
The Suns have made Morris “very available” and are engaged in serious discussions with the Rockets about a deal that would send Morris out for Terrence Jones and Corey Brewer, as Marc Stein of ESPN.com reported. See more from the Association:
- Some people around the league think the Rockets might see fit to let go of Dwight Howard if his health won’t allow him to be a consistent presence in the lineup, ESPN’s Chris Broussard said in an appearance on ESPN’s “Russillo @ Kanell” radio show (audio link). Howard is indeed frustrated about his health, his limited role on offense and the team’s losing, but he’s trying to remain positive and make the situation work in Houston, Broussard also said. Howard, whom the Rockets expect to opt out and hit free agency this summer, has only missed one game since November 21st and has appeared in three sets of back-to-backs over that period.
- DeMarcus Cousins‘ name continues to pop up in trade rumors, but Kings GM Vlade Divac once more made it clear that the All-Star center isn’t going anywhere, reiterating to Marc Stein of ESPN.com this week that Cousins is “off the table.”
- Less roster churn for the Sixers, a paucity of teams with open roster spots, and a simple lack of talent are among the reasons why the D-League has seen fewer players called up to the NBA thus far this season compared to this point in 2014/15, as Adam Johnson of D-League Digest examines.
I think Rockets GM Daryl Morey would have a hard time swallowing his pride and trading away Dwight Howard. Howard and James Harden were by far the two biggest acquisitions of Morey’s tenure, and it’s going to take a lot more than 27 games of mediocre play for him to admit they can’t function together.
Also, the national media has been making a big deal this week of Howard possibly opting out next summer, as though that’s a sign of his unhappiness. Howard was always going to opt out and try to get a longer, richer deal, especially once the salary cap projections were announced. I don’t think anyone ever expected him not to opt out.
Markieff has to be at or near the top of everybody’s list of players most likely to be traded.