NBA Trade Rumors 2015: Brandon Knight Talks About Markieff Morris’ Trade Request

NBA Trade Rumors - Markieff Morris
Markieff Morris asked the Phoenix Suns to trade him after his brother, Marcus, was dealt to the Detroit Pistons. |

Brandon Knight wants to continue playing alongside Markieff Morris, but the Phoenix Suns point guard says he will understand if his teammate will continue to insist for a trade.

Knight, who was acquired by the Suns in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks midway through last season, said that he is looking forward to playing with Morris again, but he knows anything can happen before the start of next season.

"If he stays with us, we'd definitely love to have him," Knight told Sirius XM NBA Radio. "Great player. I'm looking forward to playing with him. But if not, it's a business."

Knight, who recently inked a fresh five-year deal worth $70 million with the Suns this offseason, said that he wants the best for Morris, but quickly expressed hope the situation will be fixed before the start of the new season.

"I just want Markieff to be happy," Knight added. "That's the main thing. I love him as a player. I love his game. So as of now, I'm excited to play for him."

Morris, who is scheduled to play in the first season of the four-year deal worth $32 million he signed last year, recently requested for trade as he felt disrespected, when the Suns traded his twin brother, Marcus, to the Detroit Pistons in July.

Marcus Morris was sent the Pistons along with Reggie Bullock and Danny Granger, which was struck as part of the Suns' pursuit of then-free agent LaMarcus Aldridge. Markieff clarified he accepted the fact that his brother will get more opportunities in Detroit, but he felt he was bypassed by their front office.

"The GM, I've been there longer than him, the coaches, everybody. I've been there the longest, and I don't get the respect to be like, 'Yo Keef, we are going to trade your brother. You are our future power forward.' I'm the future power forward," Markieff said via Philly.com. "I'm the premier player of the team."

Markieff Morris is coming off the best season of his four-year professional career. The 25-year-old power forward averaged 15.3 points on top of 6.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 82 games last season.

The former Kansas standout also started in 81 games during the 2013-14 season, and averaged 13.8 points on a career-high 48.6 shooting from the field to go along with 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.