Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri appears to be circling the dire basketball situation in Phoenix like a hungry vulture.
According to a report by Marc Stein of ESPN on Wednesday, Toronto is expressing trade interest in a pair of Suns ahead of the mid-February deadline: forwards Markieff Morris and P.J. Tucker.
ESPN sources say Toronto is among the teams expressing trade interest in Suns swingman P.J. Tucker in advance of the Feb. 18 trade deadline
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 3, 2016
Toronto, I'm told, also showing interest in Suns' Markieff Morris; PHX widely seen as a LOCK to do at least one deal before Feb. 18 deadline
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 3, 2016
The displeasure of the 26-year-old Morris in Phoenix has been the worst-kept secret in the NBA this year. However, the team just axed head coach Jeff Hornacek, one of the biggest sources of Morris’ ire. New interim coach Earl Watson appears to have a healthy relationship with Morris, even going so far as to call the former No. 13 overall pick the focal point of the Suns’ offense from here on out. Still, Phoenix could just be trying to get Morris to rehabilitate his trade value before inevitably shipping him out of town.
Meanwhile, Tucker, 30, provides a lot of value as a perimeter stopper and comes on a relatively cheap deal.
In a year where they appear to be a legitimate contender to the Cleveland Cavaliers out East, the forward spots pose the biggest weakness for the 33-16 Raptors. DeMarre Carroll is in the midst of an extended absence due to a knee injury, and despite the team’s best efforts, Luis Scola and Patrick Patterson don’t look like legitimate starting power forwards in today’s NBA.
The bottom-feeding Suns looked poised to be big-time sellers these next couple of weeks, especially after recently suffering a second season-ending injury to a key contributor. If Toronto can pry away one of their talented (if not undervalued) forwards, it could be an upgrade that sends the Raptors over the top in the Eastern Conference.
