Suns' GM on Markieff Morris: 'We fully expect him to come to camp'

If general manager Ryan McDonough had a do-over, this summer wouldn't have unfolded the way it has for the Phoenix Suns.

But such is life, says McDonough, and the ugliness with Markieff Morris is all in the past. The Suns are hoping to move forward with their disgruntled forward on their roster.

As McDonough told Craig Grialou of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM:

The summer hasn't gone how we hoped it would in regards to (Markieff). I'm certain it hasn't gone how he wanted it to go in terms of the situation with trading Marcus to Detroit, but it is what it is.

We'll see him on Monday, if not sooner. We fully expect him to come to camp and be a full-participant and be the productive, effective player he has been for the past couple of years since Coach (Jeff) Hornacek and I have been in Phoenix.

McDonough's stance comes in direct conflict with Markieff's highly publicized trade demands. Markieff feels that the Suns betrayed his trust after they traded his twin brother Marcus Morris to the Detroit Pistons this offseason.

Related: Suns in no-win situation after fallout with Markieff Morris

The Suns' reticence to meet his demands is sure to fuel Markieff's anger, as the 26-year-old was very clear in a tweet from early-September, which cost him a cool $10,000 fine.

Despite Markieff's stance, the Suns remain steadfast in their refusal to trade him at the nadir of his stock. Instead, the entire organization, including center Tyson Chandler, guard Brandon Knight, and head coach Jeff Hornacek reamin optimistic in regards to Markieff's future in Phoenix.

The Suns badly need Markieff to hold down an otherwise defunct power forward spot. Morris averaged 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds with Phoenix last season and ranked second behind Eric Bledsoe for the team's lead in both minutes played and points scored. He's an important piece of their roster and the only viable option to start at the four-spot.

As for Markieff, McDonough says he's stayed in shape this offseason despite skipping out on the Suns' early training camp sessions.

"Our coaching staff has been in touch with Markieff," McDonough said. "They've worked with him on the court, said he looks good. He's in good shape. He's never really out-of-shape, that's one of the things that he does pretty consistently well. He trains year-round. He works hard."

So, for the moment, the equation remains the same, at least from McDonough's end. The Suns are trying to move on.

"Obviously, we prefer that he didn't make those comments, but what's done is done, what's in the past is in the past," McDonough said. "We're looking forward to moving on and sitting down with him next week and getting ready for training camp and preseason."