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Phoenix Suns big man Markieff Morris has been suspended for two games after reportedly throwing a towel at head coach Jeff Hornacek during the team's game against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
Morris reportedly threw the towel toward Hornacek on the sideline in the fourth quarter of the Suns' 104-96 loss, according to Paul Coro of The Arizona Republic, which led the coach to toss the towel aside and fire back words at the player. Hornacek said after the game that the team would "discuss possible discipline" for Morris as a result of the episode.
On Thursday, the team announced that Morris would be suspended two games for the incident.
The situation represents the latest bump in the rode for Morris and the Suns since the two sides began being wedged apart over the summer. That's when Phoenix decided to trade Markieff's brother and longtime teammate, Marcus, to the Detroit Pistons as part of a failed effort to lure LaMarcus Aldridge.
The two sides have butted heads at times since then. In August, Morris requested a trade. The team didn't seriously consider the idea at time, but in recent weeks we've heard rumors that the Pelicans and Rockets are among those interested in his services. This latest scene could potentially help fuel those trade talks, although butting heads with a coach doesn't necessarily make Morris more appealing.
What does make Morris a quality trade candidate is his contract. The forward is undeniably talented and he's set to make just $32 million through the 2018-19 season. That's potentially fantastic value, although it requires Morris to actually be on his game. This season, the 26-year-old is averaging 11 points per game on just 38-percent shooting. He's taken steps back across the board and now is openly having trouble with his head coach.
At a certain point, both sides could be looking for a change of scenery.
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SB Nation presents: How the Morris twins pushed each other to achieve greatness