If the NFL Map Made Sense
January 15, 2016How the current Browns roster fits Hue Jackson’s offense
January 15, 2016As the Cleveland Cavaliers look to build out their roster for their inevitable post-season run, one of the hottest names on the potential acquisition list is disgruntled Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris. Once thought to be an up-and-coming swingman in the league, Morris has been shrouded in inconsistency and personality issues for much of the last year, much of which was spurned by the Suns trading away his twin brother, Marcus.
According to Cleveland.com’s Chris Haynes, there has been talks surrounding Morris within the Cavs locker room, but the front office has a few other ideas.
At this time last year, the Cavs had twice as many losses and were in the midst of figuring out how to operate the new pieces that had just arrived from New York (J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert) and Denver (Timofey Mozgov). Those pieces were crucial in helping form what is now one of the NBA’s most potent rosters.
The team, as constructed, is equipped to win the whole thing, but a little help along the way couldn’t hurt.
Influential figures within the Cavaliers’ locker room are open to the notion of trading for disgruntled Phoenix Suns power forward Markieff Morris, cleveland.com has learned.
They believe the Cavs can get the most potential out of him in the role he’d be assigned.
They’re intrigued with the possibility of adding another stretch-four to back up Kevin Love. Also, Morris would serve as an insurance policy for an injury.
However, league sources with knowledge of the Cavaliers’ thinking insist there’s no connection right now between Morris and the defending Eastern Conference champions. I’m told the organization isn’t too keen with the idea, fearing the team chemistry would be ruined.
Morris has been a player discussed greatly amongst fan circles as many look at him as a potential answer for Golden State’s Draymond Green. Owning a $10.5 million trade exception that expires in the offseason, the Cavaliers could fit Morris’ $8 million annual salary on to their books, but it would require the Suns (one of the worst teams in the league this season) to agree to a deal of some sort. One could assume that the Suns would take anything at this point—they suspended Morris for two games last month for throwing a towel—but stranger things have happened.
While Morris would provide even more depth in the frontcourt, Haynes adds that the front office seems to be more focused on shooting guard and small forward types who can play in more of a three-and-D similar to Iman Shumpert. Players who fit this mold would be Houston Rockets guard Corey Brewer (who couldn’t be dealt until today) or Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin. Naturally, with the Cavs having an open roster spot, the team could also just wait for someone to be bought out—like, how about Joe Johnson?
13 Comments
Another guard or small forward? Count me among the players Cavs need another frontcourt player particularly one who can hit an intermediate jump shot. Morris likes his 3s as well but he has a solid mid-range game not to mention playmaking ability.
Oh please no.
https://38.media.tumblr.com/7b61fc0611d5a5b22739adaa1fc737b6/tumblr_inline_noxdjbks4h1rerlyv_500.gif
Trevor Ariza please.
He’d be another guard and well I’ve never been a fan of his. He’s like a box of chocolates. You never know what your gonna get. Lets see tonight.
Trevor fits at SF on this roster in my belief.
So if he did play it would probably be the 10 minutes LBJ doesn’t? Not much impact IMO.
That and create even more “matchup” lineups.
Slide LeBron to the 5 (to guard Draymond) Ariza, Shump, Jr and Kyrie.
Every move we make needs to be preparing us to play either GS or Spurs in the Finals.
Your last sentence says it all.
Can’t see JJ getting bought out. The Nets have no motivation to tank, w/BOS getting their first unprotected, and they play in a big market while struggling to fill the seats. If anything they should be motivated to finish w/a good record, so BOS doesn’t end up w/a top pick.
This is random, but… Wilson Chandler? He’s sidelined for the season, but is still only 28. He’s got 4 years left hefty-ish deal. Would Denver want to cut bait & speed the rebuild process? Or maybe Ryan Anderson if NO continues to choke?
I’d have to at least consider ‘Kieffer – he’s only 26 and was a model of consistency before this season. More importantly, he has 4 years left on a modest deal.
Morris would be a good fit. There’s really no reason for them to have 3 centers who have nothing resembling an outside shooting presence, who will basically become liabilities against a team like the Warriors. If you remember, one of the key adjustments the Warriors made in the finals was benching Andrew Bogut, thus making Mozgov a liability against a smaller lineup. When Mozgov was forced to the bench, the team essentially had left Delly, LeBron, Smith, an injured Shumpert and Thompson. With James Jones doing sub duty.
Granted, having Irving/Love healthy and maybe also having Cunningham/Williams to add to the rotation makes that wildly different scenario. But the point is we have 3 of essentially the same player with Varejao, Kahn and Mozgov. Unless Varejao or Kahn has learned to hit threes, someone like Morris would be a good pickup for the ability to go to a smaller lineup.
This guy is not only an idiot but a bad person.
First time Morris doesn’t like the minutes he’s got out comes a towel.Then your stuck with this chuckle head.