Ja Morant Trade Scenarios: Five Possible Destinations for Star Guard
Explore five potential trade scenarios for Ja Morant as the Memphis Grizzlies consider a significant change before the February deadline.
The first major move in the point guard market occurred when Trae Young was traded. Following this, the Memphis Grizzlies are now considering trading their star guard Ja Morant, which is a significant shift from previous stances. General Manager Zach Kleiman had previously declared, “we are not trading Ja.”
Morant’s trade poses similar complications that Young’s did. The NBA seems to be moving away from smaller, defensively weak guards. Morant’s current shooting stats show a 20.8% from three, with ongoing concerns about his off-court status affecting his trade value, which is at a low.
While the Wizards only had interest in Young, it appears multiple teams are looking into Morant’s availability, thus giving the Grizzlies some negotiating leverage.
Here are five hypothetical trades involving Morant:
Morant to the Timberwolves
- Timberwolves receive: Ja Morant
- Pacers receive: Naz Reid, Bones Hyland
- Grizzlies receive: Bennedict Mathurin, Rob Dillingham, Mike Conley, Isaiah Jackson
This trade is impeded mainly by Minnesota needing to balance their finances with their existing player contracts. A third team, potentially the Pacers, could fill gaps.
Morant to the Kings
- Kings receive: Ja Morant, Ty Jerome
- Grizzlies receive: DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk, Devin Carter, a protected first-round pick in 2027
Sacramento’s interest has shifted as they slip below .500. Their outgoing contracts include less favorable terms, which complicates negotiations for desirable pieces.
Morant to the Raptors
- Raptors receive: Ja Morant
- Grizzlies receive: Immanuel Quickley, Ochai Agbaji, Garrett Temple
This would be a gamble for both parties, trading Morant’s all-star potential against Quickley’s reliable gameplay.
Morant to the Bucks
- Bucks receive: Ja Morant
- Grizzlies receive: Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, Ryan Rollins
While Morant could fill scoring needs, it poses long-term questions about fitting into Milwaukee’s structure, particularly with Giannis Antetokounmpo already being a dominant force.
Morant to the Suns
- Suns receive: Ja Morant
- Grizzlies receive: Jalen Green, Nick Richards, Nigel Hayes-Davis
This scenario asks whether Phoenix is willing to pivot mid-season while also addressing long-standing performance gaps in scoring zones.
