Ja Morant
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Could the Grizzlies look to trade Ja Morant after recently suspending him?
Ja Morant’s time with the Memphis Grizzlies seems to be coming to a close. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings have reportedly shown interest, and he has been linked to the Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets.
Between suspensions and injuries, however, his value is not nearly as high as it once was. If the Grizzlies want to see him go, they may have to settle for a lesser package.
Morant is an above-average point guard, but his All-Star days may be behind him. Still, he’s only 26 years old and can easily get back to being a star. His unreliability is the biggest hurdle.
It remains to be seen if a team will break the bank for Morant, but if certain reports are correct, the Grizzlies could get a steal.
Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant and Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving
GettyMEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 24: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets guards Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the game at FedExForum on October 24, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Memphis Grizzlies’ Possible Trade Return Revealed
As a 22-year-old All-NBA player in 2022, Morant would have fetched a king’s ransom on the trade market. Of course, the Grizzlies were one of the most promising teams in the league at that point. There was no interest in parting ways with him.
Now, he’s been suspended by the league for showing off firearms and suspended by the Grizzlies for “conduct detrimental to the team.” On top of that, he hasn’t played in 65 or more games since his rookie season.
Teams aren’t willing to break the bank for a player like Morant, and his trade value was compared to an all-time great point guard.
“As for what a possible return for Morant could look like, one team executive ESPN talked to pointed to the 2023 trade that sent Kyrie Irving from the Nets to the Dallas Mavericks,” wrote ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
The Mavericks, in exchange for Irving, got Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 unprotected first-round pick, and two second-rounders. At the time, Dinwiddie and Finney-Smith were both under 30 years old and solid NBA role players.
Grizzlies Should Be Pleased With Trade Package
If Memphis can get back a first-round pick and two or three quality players for Morant, that’s a massive win. He’s shown time and time again that he can’t be a centerpiece on a title team, and the Grizzlies have placed him in that exact situation.
Irving, in 2023, had demanded a trade and made life hard for the Brooklyn Nets. Still, he had averaged 21.7 points for the Nets that season.
Irving, while older, was a better player when he was traded to Dallas than Morant has ever been. He is a better shooter and can play either guard spot, giving teams more flexibility.
As Morant’s trade value dwindles, accepting a deal similar to the 2023 Nets and cutting ties with their difficult star should be an easy choice for the Grizzlies.