Markieff Morris Fined 10K by NBA

[Rios15]

The NBA has slapped Markieff Morris with a fine of $10K for publicly demanding a trade from the Suns, reports Marc Stein of ESPN.com (Twitter link). It’s not against the rules for either a player or his agent to go to the team with trade demands, but Morris aired his laundry through the media, which the NBA has been fining players for since the 2005/06 season, Stein points out (Twitter links). Morris told Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer early last month that, “I am not going to be there [in Phoenix] at all,” amid his anger over the trade that sent his twin brother, and now ex-teammate, to the Pistons in July.
 
Morris is set to make $8MM this season, the first in a four-year, $32MM extension hesigned last fall, when the Suns allowed him and his brother to split a $52MM pot, so the fine won’t have much of a financial impact on the 26-year-old. Morris doubled down last week on his earlier comments, tweeting that, “My future will not be in Phoenix.” John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 radio first reported that Morris wanted off the Suns, though Morris ostensibly wouldn’t have drawn a fine for that dispatch alone, since it didn’t include on-the-record statements from him.
 
Agent Leon Rose of the Creative Artists Agency has represented Morris, though his brother recently left the agency, so it’s unclear if he’ll do the same. Regardless, the trade demand has placed the Suns in a compromising position, as I examined when Ilooked at Morris in a Trade Candidate piece. The Suns appear intent on patching up the relationship, but Gambadoro reported that the 2011 lottery pick won’t talk to Suns front office officials and will respond to coach Jeff Hornacek only in one-word answers.
hoopsrumors.com

https://twitter.com/Keefmorris/status/639603859535622144

 

[Mexi]

I feel like hes either gonna take the year off
Or totally half ass it and get benched
No choice but to get rid of him

 

[cruzg24]

What a little bitch. He signed a contractual agreement and he must abide by it. Just because his brother was traded doesnt mean he has the right to leave as well.

 

[BwareDWare94]

Yeah, talk about maturity issues. 

 

[Teagz]

Hope he manages to force his way to Detroit.

 

[Pugz]

id seriously approve of that.

 

[RipCity32]

I know on the surface he seems like a little bitch. But the way the brothers structured their contracts, it would definitely make me mad too if I was in his situation.

But also it is a business.

 

[Rios15]

Suns coach Jeff Hornacek expressed optimism about the potential for a resolution that would see Markieff Morris back off his trade demand, as Craig Grialou of ArizonaSports.com relays. Several league sources tell Grantland’s Zach Lowe that the Suns don’t seem especially motivated to make a move, despite the bluster from the power forward.
 
“I know Markieff,” Hornacek said. “I know that when he gets here and starts playing, he’s a competitor and he’s going to try to win.  Hopefully, he can get whatever he has off his chest with us and get back to business and help this team win.”
hoopsrumors.com