For most sports fans, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. We live in an age where fans are always looking out for the next trade or free agent signing, where transactions are as popular as the games themselves. Because of this, it’s common for teams to speculate how any potentially available player would look on their team, particularly if that player is a potential difference maker. In real life however, we are often taught that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the fence, whether it’s a new job, new relationship, or new player on your favorite sports team.
For the Cleveland Cavaliers, adding Phoenix Suns power forward Markieff Morris would be proof that some changes just aren’t meant to be made. While there’s no doubt that he is a very good player, trading for the disgruntled Morris could spell disaster for the Cavaliers for a variety of reasons.
No one can deny that Morris has been a solid addition for the Suns on the court since they selected him with the 13th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. Last season alone, he averaged 15.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. His PER of 15.8 was just above his career mark of 15.2, and his RPM of 3.43 ranked ninth among all power forwards last season. He has some ability to stretch the floor as well, as he averaged 2.2 three-point attempts per game last season, although he only shot 31.8% from beyond the arc, and is at just 32.8% for his career.
There’s only a few basketball reasons Morris wouldn’t be a great replacement for Tristan Thompson with the Cavs. He’s not the rebounder Thompson is, nor is he as comfortable with playing center, instead it’s the multitude of other issues Morris brings to the table.
It’s not secret that Morris has clashed with Suns coach Jeff Hornacek on multiple occasions.Hornacek benched Morris at least once for a foolish technical foul, and apparently their relationship has deteriorated to the point where Morris only uses one word answers when responding to Hornacek. As bad at that sound, it could be worse considering Morris refuses to talk to anyone in the Suns’ upper level management.
It’s also well known that Morris has been pushing for a trade out of Phoenix ever since they dealt his twin brother Marcus to the Detroit Pistons. While trade demands aren’t that uncommon, both Morris twins need to realize that the odds were extremely slim that they would play together for their entire correct. Markieff’s behavior was especially audacious considering his impending court case.
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That’s right, if you hadn’t heard it before, it’s no guarantee that Morris won’t be spending part of next season in jail. Both Morris twins have been charged with assaulting a 36-year-old man who allegedly sent an inappropriate text to their mother. Their response to this text? Beating the man with the help of three of their friends. If convicted, Morris could be out of basketball for a long time.
For those who claim that the leadership of LeBron James and others is all that Morris needs, don’t make me laugh. This isn’t someone who needs direction on the court, with non-threatening issues off it ala J.R. Smith. Morris is difficult to coach, a less-than-stellar teammate (a strength of Smith’s), and a violent man who is truly capable of others. LeBron James can’t affect assault charges, and Markieff Morris simply hasn’t come close to displaying the level of character a player, teammate, or person needs to help a championship contender.