The Bucks' desperation approaching the trade deadline could lead them right to the Grizzlies' Ja Morant. After Giannis suffered another injury in Friday night's loss to the Nuggets, the Bucks are sorely lacking other top talent on the roster. Morant has his flaws and inconsistencies, but he could also be a buy-low star trade target for the Bucks.
Ja Morant might be the Bucks' last-ditch effort
The Bucks have been linked to just about every major trade target with the potential to add a big scoring punch. But Morant sticks out for his one-time peak as an All-NBA performer. At his best, Morant was going toe to toe with the likes of Steph Curry in the playoffs at the age of just 22.
He's run into a myriad of issues since then, including injuries that have hurt his burst and athleticism. So far this season, Morant hasn't shown the same ability to attack the rim. But he still looks like a special player at times; just a few days ago, he had 23 points and 12 assists in a win.
With Giannis' most recent injury, the Bucks are in an even worse position. They are just 3-11 without him this season due to the lack of other stars on the team. A high-risk move for Morant definitely seems possible, especially given the history of risky trades made by the Bucks in Giannis' time.
If the Bucks are truly committed to keeping Giannis for the rest of his prime, they will need to show him that they're serious about giving him supporting talent. And possibly no other player in the league right now has more potential for a lower price than Ja Morant.
Morant has fallen out of favor in Memphis after clashing with the coaching staff, but the Bucks might be able to rejuvenate him with a fresh start. His return to his peak form is far from guaranteed, but it could be worth a shot for a team as desperate as the Milwaukee Bucks.
Because of Morant's publicized quarrels with his team and decline in play this year, his trade value has dropped. The recent trade sending Trae Young to the Wizards showed how little value small guards have in the trade market. The Bucks should exploit this dynamic to pursue Morant without giving up too much. If they can acquire him without trading away any draft capital or Ryan Rollins, they'll be in a better spot than their current situation.
Ja Morant is far from a perfect solution; there are still concerns about his attitude, defense, and effort. But his star power might be the most worthwhile gamble on the trade market right now for the Bucks.