HoopsHype.com Rumors

Phoenix Suns rookie forward Markieff Morris is still considering playing overseas, according to Morris’ agent Tony Dutt, who said conversations with a couple of the top teams in Europe and China are “ongoing” in an email to ValleyoftheSuns Tuesday. Valley of the Suns

Phoenix Suns, Lockout, Markieff Morris 

Former Kansas University basketball forwards Marcus and Markieff Morris prefer to look at the bright side regarding the NBA lockout. “This is the best thing about what’s going on right now — us being together,” Markieff said Thursday while seated next to his twin brother during an autograph signing at Briggs Chrysler Dodge Jeep at 29th and Iowa streets. Lawrence Journal-World

Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris 

European clubs are built with veteran players who are well-versed in team basketball and drilled in fundamentals. It is rare that any team, particularly a Euroleague power, reaches out to an American rookie but Panathinaikos is pursuing Morris to fill a power forward void. Morris' agent, Tony Dutt, said talks with Panathinaikos are "moving along" but nothing is imminent. Dutt said he would pursue an out clause so that Morris could return to the Suns if the lockout ends. It is not clear whether Panathinaikos, the Euroleague's defending champion, would be willing to risk a midseason personnel loss to do that. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Lockout, Panathinaikos, Greece, Markieff Morris 

Suns rookie forward @keefmorris in serious contract talks with Greece Panthianakos, agent Tony Dutt tells @YahooSports. Twitter

Phoenix Suns, Lockout, Panathinaikos, Greece, Markieff Morris 

An impending lockout nixed those plans, prompting the Suns to hold a minicamp Wednesday. First-round pick Markieff Morris and former New Jersey first-round pick Sean Williams will work out with other players who went undrafted or have played in Europe or the D-League. Undrafted invitees include Butler power forward Matt Howard, Ohio State swingman David Lighty, Washington power forward Matthew Bryan-Amaning, Colorado guard Cory Higgins and Tulsa off-guard Justin Hurtt. Howard and Hurtt worked out previously for the Suns. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Sean Williams, Markieff Morris 

The Suns are holding a free agent minicamp Wednesday to take a look at their first-round pick, Markieff Morris, and a mix of undrafted rookies as well as pros who have competed in Europe or the D-League. The most well-known name in the group is Sean Williams, the former first-round pick of New Jersey whose talent was offset by troubles that date back to when he was Jared Dudley's teammate at Boston College. Arizona Republic

Phoenix Suns, Free Agency, Sean Williams, Markieff Morris 

I'm hearing that if either Kawhi Leonard or Kemba Walker is on the board at No. 8, the Pistons are likely to take one of them. If both are gone, it's down to Biyombo, Tristan Thompson and Markieff Morris. The Pistons really like Valanciunas as well, but sources claim they aren't willing to wait a year to get him. ESPN.com

Detroit Pistons, Draft, Kemba Walker, Tristan Thompson, Kawhi Leonard, Markieff Morris 

Vincent Goodwill: Source: Markieff Morris may have put himself in the mix for the No. 8 pick with the #Pistons with his workout today Twitter

Detroit Pistons, Draft, Markieff Morris 

A source inside the Knicks told me this afternoon that it's likely the Knicks will select either Shumpert, Nikola Vucevic or Markieff Morris at No. 17. The team is also intrigued with Brooks, but he seems to be losing some traction. ESPN.com

New York Knicks, Draft, Nikola Vucevic, Markieff Morris 

Every year, the NBA tips its hand as to who it believes are the top 14 or 15 prospects in the draft with its annual "green room" invitations. These players are invited by the league to sit in a special room with their families and agent on draft night. When their names are called, they leave the room and go up on stage to shake commissioner David Stern's hand. This year's invitees to the June 23 draft: Kyrie Irving (Duke); Derrick Williams (Arizona); Enes Kanter (Turkey); Brandon Knight (Kentucky); Kemba Walker (UConn); Jonas Valanciunas (Lithuania); Jan Vesely (Czech Republic); Kawhi Leonard (San Diego St.); Chris Singleton (Florida St.); Klay Thompson (Washington St.); Tristan Thompson (Texas); Jimmer Fredette (BYU); Marcus Morris (Kansas); and Alec Burks (Colorado). A 15th name has been added -- Markieff Morris of Kansas. Markieff is Marcus Morris' twin and also widely considered to be a top 20 draft pick. ESPN.com

Draft, Enes Kanter, Alec Burks, Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving, Jonas Valanciunas, Jan Vesely, Derrick Williams, Klay Thompson, Jimmer Fredette, Tristan Thompson, Kawhi Leonard, Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris, Brandon Knight, Chris Singleton 

In other words: Morris not only knows what appeals to Philly fans, but also what the Sixers need. Needless to say, if he can persuade the Sixers into picking him, he’ll do it. Of course he has already worked out for nine other teams and will visit with four others before draft day, but a trip home (and a night in a hotel, too) was worth it. “I can help the team. I’m a stretch four and I’m tough. I have that Philly pride, so, they like that about me a lot,” he said. “It was a good workout. I definitely wanted to impress these guys as much as possible.” CSNPhilly.com

Philadelphia 76ers, Draft, Markieff Morris 

Martin Frank: Markieff Morris says he dreamed of playing for Sixers since Iverson played for them Twitter

Philadelphia 76ers, Draft, Markieff Morris 

Today at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, five more potential draft picks will work out for the team's brass. Scheduled to come in are Markieff Morris, from Kansas, UCLA's Tyler Honeycutt, Eniel Polynice of Seton Hall, Xavier Silas from Northern Illinois and Villanova's Antonio Pena. Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Draft, Tyler Honeycutt, Markieff Morris 

The Suns still might go big with the pick, according to sources, choosing either a Morris twin (I still have Markieff available here) or Tristan Thompson. SI.com

Phoenix Suns, Draft, Tristan Thompson, Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris 

And in the interest of full disclosure, inserting Morris here is a calculated move based on one interesting slice of information: A source says the Morris twins have been avoiding working out for New York at No. 17 and thereby sending a strong signal that they fully expect to be taken earlier. SI.com

New York Knicks, Draft, Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris 

So who do the Knicks take? I think Klay Thompson would be their first choice if he's still on the board. Don't count out Markieff Morris, Marshon Brooks or Nikola Vucevic either. And you want a dark horse for the Knicks' pick at No. 17? The team really likes Georgia Tech's Iman Shumpert. ESPN.com

New York Knicks, Draft, Klay Thompson, Nikola Vucevic, Iman Shumpert, Markieff Morris, Marshon Brooks 

Ryan Feldman: Contrary to the ESPN report, Marcus Morris was not at the Cleveland Cavaliers workout today w/ Enes Kanter. It was Markieff Morris. Twitter

Cleveland Cavaliers, Draft, Enes Kanter, Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris 

Brian T. Smith: Ex-Kansas' Markieff Morris: "Anything can happen. I'm hearing early lottery, late lottery — around that area.” Twitter

Draft, Markieff Morris 

Jonathan Rinehart: Jazz to hold draft workouts on Sunday: Norris Cole, JaJuan Johnson, Shelvin Mack, Markieff Morris, Dallas Lauderdale and Jeremy Tyler. Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Utah Jazz, Draft, Jeremy Tyler, Markieff Morris, Shelvin Mack, JaJuan Johnson, Norris Cole 

Ryan Feldman: The Houston Rockets hosted a draft workout today w/ Marcus and Markieff Morris, Tristan Thompson, Nolan Smith, Cory Joseph + Nikola Vucevic. Twitter

Houston Rockets, Draft, Nikola Vucevic, Tristan Thompson, Markieff Morris, Cory Joseph