Markieff Morris 'happy' with Suns win despite reduced role

There is one thing clear about how Suns power forward Markieff Morris feels. He is happy that the Suns won Monday night. He said as much four times to in answers to questions about being benched Sunday and having a reduced role Monday.

Until Sunday, the last time a coach sat Markieff Morris out for an entire game was when Alvin Gentry did it once during Morris’ rookie year.

Gentry’s team, New Orleans, was the one being added to Morris’ trade interest rumor mill in a Yahoo! report Tuesday after ESPN reported Monday that Houston had interest. It would be the result of Morris asking for a trade during the summer after his twin, Marcus, was traded to Detroit and how his previously perennial improvement has turned into a career-worst season.

After sitting out a game against his twin last Wednesday because of a knee bruise, he lost his starting job for Friday’s game at Washington, got benched for all of Sunday’s game at Memphis and then played only seven first-half minutes Monday at Chicago. That stint was prompted by Alex Len’s foul trouble.

“It is what it is,” Morris said after the Suns’ win Monday. “It’s a coach’s decision. There’s nothing I can really say or do about it. I’ll be there for my teammates and I’m happy we got the win.”

Morris said he did not anticipate being benched, but Hornacek talked to him about it before Sunday’s game at Memphis.

“That’s part of the transition,” Morris said. “Coach said he wanted to try something new. I’m just here for when they want to play me and I’m happy we got the win.”

Asked if still wanted to be traded, he said: “I’m part of the Phoenix Suns. I’m happy we got the win tonight.”

Asked if his relationship with the organization has improved, he said, “I’m happy we got the win tonight.”

Morris grabbed three rebounds in seven minutes Monday, when his season field-goal percentage dropped to a career-low 38.6. He continues to be tight with several teammates and has been engaged from the bench with emotional reactions to the Suns’ ups and downs.

“I’ll contribute any way I can, whether it’s cheering my teammates on or being in the game,” Morris said. “We needed this win big.

“Coach is a great guy. Our team fought real hard. He put me in for a little bit of time and I just wanted to go out there and play hard and contribute any way I can. I didn’t score but I got a couple stops. We got the win. That’s what is important. I keep in high spirits and keep my confidence. Whenever my number is called, I’ll be ready always.”