NBA Trade Rumors: Knicks’ Most Realistic Trade Targets

Markieff Morris, Phoenix Suns

Position: Power Forward

Age: 26

2015-16 Salary: $8,000,000

Contract Expires: 2019

Slash Line: .397/.289/.717

Season Averages: 24.8 MPG, 11.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.2 ORPG, 2.4 APG, 0.9 SPG

On the court, Markieff Morris has one of the more intriguing skill sets in the NBA. He’s not elite in any one area, but he’s a powerful leaper at power forward who does just about everything on the offensive end of the floor.

Per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, teams are confident in his abilities, but are quite concerned about his off-the-court issues.

"…teams agree that Markieff Morris has one of the best value contracts in the NBA. Executives consider his 2014 four-year, $32 million rookie extension below market value for a player of his capabilities. Despite a sub-par season, teams have been quick to overlook that production and largely focus on Morris’ background."

This would be a massive risk on New York Knicks’ behalf, but it’s not entirely unfathomable.

The asking price for Morris is likely to have declined given the events of the past few months. Those downhill events came to a head when Morris got into an altercation with teammate Archie Goodwin during a recent Phoenix Suns game.

New York could potentially capitalize on this opportunity to stabilize the second unit with a big man who, at the very least, will provide consistent production.

The obvious reason to shy away from Morris is that he’s in the first season of a four-year contract worth $32 million. For a team that’s looking to expand its cap space, there’s every reason to avoid taking on such a financial burden when the player has the off-court issues that Morris currently does.

Thus, this is more of a necessary inclusion than a likely target for Phil Jackson and company at the trade deadline.

Next: All-Star Point Guard