Written by Paul Coro AZCentral.com
Markieff Morris’ 4 1/2 seasons with the Phoenix Suns ended with the trade he requested months ago and a hoverboard interview exit out of Talking Stick Resort Arena.
Just before the Thursday deadline hit, the Suns agreed to a trade that sends Morris to the Washington Wizards for a draft pick that would stay with the Wizards if it is in the draft’s top nine. Washington currently has the NBA’s 12th-worst record but is only three games out of playoff position at 23-28. The top-nine protection would remain through the 2021 draft. The added pick gives the Suns three first-round picks potentially in this year’s draft, including their pick that projects to be in the top five and Cleveland’s pick that figures to be in the first round’s bottom five.
“Today we added another first-round pick to our collection of picks while keeping our young core intact,” Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough said in a team statement. “We are excited to watch this group of players continue to develop and grow together.”
The Suns also acquire power forwards DeJuan Blair, whose contract has a $2 million team option for next season, and Kris Humphries, whose contract has a $4.6 million team option for next season. The Suns are expected to waive Blair but the trade could add $7.4 million of cap room (Morris’ 2016-17 salary) for the Suns this summer if neither player’s team option is picked up.
Morris, 26, asked for a trade last summer after his twin, Marcus, was traded to Detroit. The Wizards play Detroit on Friday and visit Phoenix on April 1.
“I had a couple great years in Phoenix, man,” Morris said as he was riding a hoverboard from the Suns locker room to his car in order to catch a flight to Washington, which plays Utah tonight. “Just ready to move on. My time here was great and I thank the organization for giving me a chance to play here and drafting me. I’m just ready for this new environment in Washington.”
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