NBA Trade Rumors: Cleveland Cavaliers Involved in Deal for Markieff Morris?
The Phoenix Suns will likely part ways with disgruntled forward Markieff Morris before the trade deadline, and the Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly involved in a potential deal.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Suns have made moves to arrange a multi-team trade to get rid of Morris. The Cavaliers are reportedly one of the teams that could play as a facilitator, especially after reports came out that they are also shopping Timofey Mozgov.
While Wojnarowski described the Cavaliers as a possible "facilitator" in the deal, reports also suggested that Morris could move to Cleveland before the deadline on Feb. 18. According to Chris Haynes of Cleveland.com, the Cavaliers are looking at Morris in the hope of adding another stretch four to backup Kevin Love.
The report also indicated that Morris, who is averaging 10.6 points and 4.9 rebounds in 23.2 minutes per game this season, could also be an "insurance policy" in case Love goes down with another injury later in the season. The 26-year-old will earn $8 million this season, which means the Cavaliers could acquire the four-year veteran using their $10.5 million exception.
However, Haynes also revealed that Cavaliers officials are thinking that adding Morris could affect their team chemistry. The former Kansas standout publicly revealed that he is unhappy in Phoenix after the Suns traded his twin brother, Marcus, to the Detroit Pistons last summer.
Morris, whose playing time went down from 31.5 minutes per game last season to 23.2 this year, was also suspended for throwing a towel to Suns coach Jeff Hornacek earlier in the season.
But while the Cavaliers' front office are not too sure about adding Morris, their players are reportedly open to the idea, thinking that Morris will mature playing alongside proven veterans in Cleveland.
"Players believe he'd be a solid fit surrounded by LeBron James, James Jones and Richard Jefferson," Haynes wrote. "The players' interest in Morris shows how serious they are about winning, even if it means their numbers and minutes would be sacrificed."
It should be noted, though, that Suns general manager Ryan McDonough told Arizona Sports that no deal is imminent at this point, but quickly added that talks between teams are now getting more serious heading into the trade deadline.
McDonough added that Morris, who is playing in the first year of his four-year contract worth $32 million, could finish the 2015-16 season in Phoenix if no attractive offer comes before the deadline next month.
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