What to do with Markieff?

[Hoop Head]

I think this is as important for the Suns future as anything else. With the coaching change he seems to be back to playing to his potential. Maybe Jeff was the issue? Who knows for certain but with Watson saying that Markieff will be the guy they run the offense through how should the team handle him going forward?

His value should go up using him as the focal point of the offense but how long will it take to improve his value to get close to equal return? Is it possible to keep him as part of the core going forward? This is a lost season and it's not like there is a young guy he's stealing time from.

 

[slinslin]

If he keeps playing anything close like this by all means keep him.

Consider trading him on draft day or next year if the Suns end up picking a PF in the top 3.

Teammates love him so I don't see it as a big issue. Fans will come around eventually, at our home games there seem to be many fans still cheering for him anyway so the angry message board heroes are maybe not indicative of what fans really think about Markieff.

 

[Catlover]

I voted other. Hopefully we get a good offer and move him by the deadline. Failing that, we keep him until he's rehabbed his reputation enough to get a fair deal.

 

[slinslin]

One thing I noticed is that the difference between Markieff in the pick and roll and any of our other big man is ridiculous.

He is setting so much better picks and is just that much more of a threat.

If he plays like he cares I would keep him just so that Archie Goodwin and Devin Booker can learn how to utilize a big men that sets good picks.

 

[StreetTruckinTitan]

You def move him at the deadline. Its unfortunate he's a bad guy cause he's a talented player when he wants to be. But you cant reward someone for bad behavior. Who's to say he doesnt quit on the next coach?

 

[az jam]

Wait and see what happens over the rest of the season.

 

[slinslin]

Also if he keeps playing like that his value will be much higher in the summer than at the trade deadline.

 

[chickenhead]

I'm glad he's showing some ability, which helps a possible trade. Can't say it changes my opinion, though, and might worsen it. The centrepieces of great teams are reliable and predictable in their performance, not the reverse.

I voted to move him at the deadline, but the timing is less important than the deal, obviously. If he's playing well it may be worth the risk of waiting.

 

[overseascardfan]

I figured Jeff would out last him but if he listens to Watson and improves his attitude and effort (big IF) then that changes things. PHX still needs to look for a PF in the draft.

The flip side is do we want to win more games? If Morris somehow starts playing like an all star in order to up his trade value and PHX starts playing their way out of a Top 10 pick, do we deal him at the deadline to ensure we don't fall out of top pick contention?

 

[SirStefan32]

Trade that little prick, even if it's for nothing in return and he averages 30, 15, and 5 the rest of the season.

 

[chickenhead]

I'm not a GM, but I say yes. I do not trust him enough to forego a high pick for him. One good game doesn't convince me that Hornacek was the whole problem. Maybe he wants to be traded but wanted to take someone else down with him first. I'll revisit in a few weeks...

 

[hcsilla]

Also if he keeps playing like that his value will be much higher in the summer than at the trade deadline.

Does that make any sense?

Keeps playing like this? You mean if he averages 25/10 till summer? Yes, then keep him.

Otherwise, it is one freaking game in the worst NBA team.

So, trade him as soon as someone offfers a late 1st/early 2nd pick.

He is just a stupid, selfish, unprofessional player with some size, athleticism and talent. That's not a good combination if you try to rebuild completely.

 

[JustinD]

is this FO smart enough to have the new interim coach profess his love for Markieff, and hint that he wants to keep him around, so that when he turns his play around it makes his trade value spike ?

 

[chickenhead]

Yes, despite everything I think they are. I don't think he would have been coach next season, but I suspect Hornacek was collateral damage for exactly this type of scenario.

 

[JustinD]

Yes, despite everything I think they are. I don't think he would have been coach next season, but I suspect Hornacek was collateral damage for exactly this type of scenario.

I'm fine with it. I want that ****head gone anyways, and if he puts up a few 20/10s in a row and everyone in the league thinks the coaching change was what he needed to get his head out of his ass...fine. Maybe we can pull better than Terrence Jones and Corey Brewer.

 

[JCSunsfan]

EW said he is our number one option on offense going forward. No joke. He said that in last nights post game presser.

So EW's answer is to revolve our future around Kieff.

Just the messenger here.

 

[JustinD]

EW said he is our number one option on offense going forward. No joke. He said that in last nights post game presser.

So EW's answer is to revolve our future around Kieff.

Just the messenger here.

Yep, make teams think we want to keep him. That's fine if it's all for show so we can pull better trade offers.

If it's for real, it is a huge slap in the face to the rest of the team/staff & the fan base. Keef needs to go.

 

[JCSunsfan]

OK. Is it possible that one of the reasons Markieff had a good game last night was because he was featured in the offense, not just because he chose to play better? I don't like him and I do believe he has been dogging it, but that might not be the whole story.

10 ways Markieff Morris can win back Suns fans.

10. Make a public apology for how he has been playing.
9. Apologize publicly to Jeff Hornacek for sabatoging him.
8. Put out clear effort on defense.
7. Smile
6. Tell everyone he wants to stay here--and mean it.
5. Cut the stupid techs.
4. Rebound.
3. Run the pick and roll.
2. Defend the pick and roll

and. . . . .

1. Pass the ball to to DB.

If Kieff somehow develops a great chemistry with Devin in the two man game, a lot of fans would think twice about wanting to get rid of him.

 

[chickenhead]

It's all good. Markieff being the focus of the offense going forward isn't the same thing as saying he's unavailable. Other teams know he is, and if they like what they see and make an offer, the Suns are going to listen. EW doesn't have personnel control. For all we know the team had been playing hardball with him to this point and now they have a new deal--that they'll do their best to move him if he showcases himself.

If they make amends and suddenly he's a core Sun, then fine. I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Catlover]

OK. Is it possible that one of the reasons Markieff had a good game last night was because he was featured in the offense, not just because he chose to play better? I don't like him and I do believe he has been dogging it, but that might not be the whole story.

10 ways Markieff Morris can win back Suns fans.

10. Make a public apology for how he has been playing.
9. Apologize publicly to Jeff Hornacek for sabatoging him.
8. Put out clear effort on defense.
7. Smile
6. Tell everyone he wants to stay here--and mean it.
5. Cut the stupid techs.
4. Rebound.
3. Run the pick and roll.
2. Defend the pick and roll

and. . . . .

1. Pass the ball to to DB.

If Kieff somehow develops a great chemistry with Devin in the two man game, a lot of fans would think twice about wanting to get rid of him.

I don't think so. Our early season failures against a very easy schedule were mostly due to us featuring him in the offense and him coming up short. Many of us have pointed out that Archie's good games are likely the result of poor scouting (or not using the scouting) and I think we have to allow that it's also contributed to Markieff's play last night and probably even Booker's better nights. Booker will be a star eventually even against good scouting IMO but Markieff has shown in the past a willingness to settle for long fallaway jump shots. But I do agree that the 2 man game with Booker might be a game saver for both of them.

 

[Mainstreet]

I want to know the whole story between Markieff and Hornacek. There is probably a lot we do not know. As noted, Earl Watson wants to run the offense through Markieff as the first option and Devin as the second option. It sounds about right for the time being. It's refreshing to hear a coach set priorities. The Suns need this.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wireta...us-Of-Suns-Offense-Devin-Booker-Second-Option

 

[Errntknght]

Move him at the deadline... he might cost us ping pong balls if he plays his best. I don't know if anyone else noticed but he drove to hoop as many times last night as he has this whole year and last year combined... okay, slight exaggeration...

 

[JCSunsfan]

Its frustrating. Kieff should be a fantastic asset. In fact, Kieff is an ideal pf for the Suns moving forward if it werent for all the garbage of the last 6 months.

Continue to be patient McD. We can afford to keep him, especially if the new coach has the whole locker room singing, holding hands and nurturing each other.

Trade him in the summer.

 

[Carolinacacti]

Trade that little prick, even if it's for nothing in return and he averages 30, 15, and 5 the rest of the season.

This

 

[leclerc]

Trade that little prick, even if it's for nothing in return and he averages 30, 15, and 5 the rest of the season.

I agree with Stefan. Well put.