Suns' Tyson Chandler to reacclimate Markieff Morris

One perk of adding Tyson Chandler, a 14-year veteran with six NBA homes, is that he can call on his experiences for nearly any Suns situation.

Chandler embraced the idea of signing with the Suns this summer to bring leadership as much as his rebounding, defense or pick-and-roll slams.

But his first veteran influence will be a doozy.

Markieff Morris does not seem like he will be a happy training camper when the team reports and heads to Flagstaff on Sept. 28. Morris wants to be traded, just as his twin, Marcus, was dealt in July to set off Markieff's feelings.

Chandler knows what it is like to come to work with ruffled feathers, having been traded from New Orleans to Oklahoma City in 2009 only to have the Thunder rescind the deal over turf toe.

“Our whole (New Orleans) organization was concerned how I was going to come back and would I lay down and all that kind of stuff,” said Chandler, who began voluntary workouts Monday with the Suns. “I let all of them know, in a meeting with the GM, that ‘I don’t play for you guys. I play for myself. I play for my family. And I play for other guys in that locker room.’ So it wasn’t difficult for me to come back and stand alongside my brothers because that’s who I play for.”

Chandler returned to the New Orleans locker room, declaring, "Y'all can't get rid of me." The team won the next seven games after the foiled trade.

Chandler has not been able to speak to Morris yet but he expects to do so soon. His message will focus on how Morris' feelings toward General Manager Ryan McDonough, adviser and former President of Basketball Operations Lon Babby and Managing Partner Robert Sarver should have no bearing on his play or relationship with teammates and coaches.

“It’s not about them,” Chandler said. “That’s no offense to Ryan, the GM, or the owner. Players play for players and the coaches. You’ve got a bond. Management has nothing to do with anything that goes on when you’re on the court. That’s just my thoughts. I’m not saying this for anything against Keef either. He’s a man and he has to go through his own process. But he can be special and I know he will. I feel like all this stuff will be forgotten once we kick off and we’re having success.”

The Suns do not intend to trade Morris. They are counting on him to be their starting power forward and continue his career trajectory of improvement over four seasons in Phoenix. Playing alongside a high-character, former All-Star with a championship ring and elite rebounding and defensive ability could only help Morris.

After a Wednesday court appearance for aggravated assault charges against him, Morris declined to comment on his situation but said he would talk when the Suns have their media day on Sept. 28.

“He’s a great player and I feel like he has a bright future,” Chandler said. “Sometimes, organizations and players go through hiccups like this. I think all of this can be worked out and I think it will be worked out. I think he’s going to have a bright future with the Phoenix Suns. I’m hoping he’s going to be on the court because I know there are some special things he can do with the type of player that he is.”

Chandler planned to join the Suns’ voluntary workouts two weeks ago but he needed to be with family after the death of his grandfather, Cleo Threadgill, who raised him on a central California farm. Threadgill had never been to a hospital or a doctor in his life but told relatives that he was not feeling well a month before he died just shy of his 85th birthday.

Chandler spent time with Threadgill over his final days, having conversations about being a man and his grandfather’s pride in him. The feeling was mutual. Threadgill awakened Chandler before dawn for childhood chores to instill work ethic and nailed a wooden backboard to a tree to foster his basketball passion.

“He was a huge part of my life,” Chandler said.

“He always wanted to teach life lessons. I feel blessed to have him in my life for as long as I did and for him to be my grandfather.”

When Chandler did arrive for workouts Monday in Phoenix, he found a full slate. Most Suns players have been working out at US Airways Center since mid-August.

“It’s what I expected – a lot of young talent, players that are hungry and have a nice work ethic,” said Chandler, who turns 33 in two weeks.

“I’ll just come and do my part and try to make sure everybody has the right mind-set and the same goals and intentions.

“The guys are sponges, which is good. That’s all you can ask, especially for a guy at my stage of my career is (to have) guys who just want to win. I still want to win. I want to work hard. I want to build. Of what I’ve seen the last couple days, that’s it.”

Reach Paul Coro at paul.coro@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-2470. Follow him at twitter.com/paulcoro.

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