Pistons’ 'disrespected' Morris wants to shine vs. Suns

This one is personal.

Tonight, for the first time since the Pistons acquired forward Marcus Morris in the off-season, he will face the Phoenix Suns.

Phoenix is where he felt he was underused.

It’s where he felt slighted.

The Suns unceremoniously sent him to Detroit without a phone call, forcing him away from his twin brother.

Those thoughts will be running through his mind at Talking Stick Resort Arena when the Pistons begin a six-game, 10-night western trip.

“I felt disrespected the entire time I was in Phoenix,” said Morris, 26. “I was playing well, but I still feel like I didn’t have a real opportunity to grow.

“Anytime a team trades you away like that, it’s a slap in the face. I still feel disrespected, and I feel like I want to disrespect them.”

Fateful decision

The source of Morris’ displeasure comes on two fronts — the first coming when he agreed to a four-year, $20-million contract extension shortly before last season.

He was drafted 14th overall in 2011 by the Rockets but saw little playing time.

He was traded to the Suns in 2012-13 and reunited with his twin brother, Markieff.

He showed promise, and it was decision time in September 2014.

The twins believe they took below-market deals to remain together. (Markieff’s deal was four years, $32 million.)

“It was really just to stay with my brother, because we wanted to play together,” Marcus said. “That was one of our main goals, and we wasn’t being greedy. A lot of players in this league, they want all the money, and some of them are not even worth it.

“I thought for us to stay together the next four years for $50 million was worth it to us. Where I come from, that’s a lot of money.”

But when the Suns needed extra cap space to make a run at LaMarcus Aldridge this past off-season, Marcus Morris was sent to the Pistons.

Considering the way they handled negotiations, the twins though they were at least owed a phone call.

That’s not how it works in the NBA, but Marcus says he learned a lesson.

By signing extensions, the twins bypassed the opportunity to become restricted free agents this past off-season — an off-season when everybody got paid.

Take former Piston Kyle Singler, who re-signed with the Thunder this summer. He will make $25 million over the next five seasons.

His salary of $5 million per season is what Morris is earning.

No offense to Singler, but Morris is a better player.

“I was great to them,” Morris said. “I let relationships overcome business, and that will never happen again. I’m learning from it. My brother’s learning from it, and I’m going to continue to grow.”

Cost effective

When the Suns made Morris available, the Pistons pounced.

From their extensive scouting, the Pistons believed Morris could excel if given the opportunity.

He can make three-pointers, but his game is based on the area between the three-point line and the paint.

The Suns and Rockets rely heavily on advanced stats, which say the most efficient shots are lay-ups, dunks and three-pointers.

Morris was asked to fit his game to the philosophy — despite evidence he is an efficient midrange scorer.

The Pistons rely heavily on advanced stats, but coach Stan Van Gundy will tailor the system to players’ talents.

“Marcus is a guy we can go to and isolate and can shoot a high percentage on midrange jumpers,” Van Gundy said. “Across the league, it’s not a high-percentage shot. We know that, but everything is based on individuals.

“It’s an efficient shot for him and us right now.”

The below-market deal increases his value.

Salaries are going to rise with the increasing cap, and the Pistons have Morris at $5 million per season for the next four. The Pistons already have Reggie Jackson’s $80 million on the books, and Andre Drummond and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have future paydays soon. Morris’ value contract will help roster construction — or will be easily moved.

Nice start

It looks like a good match. Morris is averaging 17.3 points and 7.5 rebounds as the Pistons have gotten off to their best start in years.

He has a player efficiency rating of nearly 16.

And the midrange game?

He is shooting 50% on shots between 10 and 16 feet — a good percentage.

He scored 26 points in leading the Pistons to a rousing, 98-94 overtime victory over the Bulls last Friday at the Palace — a game in which he was 6-for-10 from midrange.

“It makes it interesting,” Drummond said. “I think the shot selection that he takes and the moves that he makes, most people don’t really make that at his age.

“That’s something you see at later on in somebody’s career, so it makes it fun for us. It gives us a guy that we establish on the block and really beat his defender.”

Fans have embraced Morris’ take-no-prisoners playing style and love the edge he brings.

Drummond simply grinned and said: “Marcus is a lively guy.”

Morris has taken to Van Gundy, repeatedly saying he believes in the vision. And Van Gundy has shown he believes in Morris.

“I’m past it now, man,” Morris said of his time in Phoenix. “(Expletive), it happened. I’m blessed to still be in the league and blessed to be in the NBA. I’m blessed to be able to look into my account and get paid every first and 15th.

“I’m still making a lot of money, and I’m in a situation where I can really play the game. I’m still happy.”

Contact Vince Ellis at vellis@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @vincent_ellis56.