As the Memphis Grizzlies struggle out of the gate to start the season, the odds that they trade star Ja Morant seemincreasingly likely. Morant has seen his scoring average drop four straight seasons as his fall from the brink of superstardom continues.
With the Grizzlies headed nowhere fast with him, they must consider trading him, with the Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks being perfect trade partners. The Hornets seem to have a frustrated star point guard, LaMelo Ball, while the Hawks have played very well without star Trae Young.
He will be an unrestricted free agent after the season, son, and the odds that he could also be traded are high as well. That could pave the way for a blockbuster team trade with the Grizzlies, Hornets, and Hawks swapping star point guards. Next up, we’ll take a look at the trade and see if it makes sense for all sides involved.
The Grizzlies, Hornets, and Hawks swap stars in proposed mega trade
The three-team trade would see the Grizzlies trade Morant to the Hornets, the Hornets trade Ball to the Hawks, and the Hawks trade Young to Memphis. In theory, it would solve all three teams’ problems.
The Grizzlies would move Morant to get back a similarly talented point guard in Young. The Hornets would offload Ball and get a talented yet troubled star in Morant, who is also from North Carolina.
Lastly, the Hawks would get Ball in return for Young. That will keep them from losing Young for nothing by giving them a younger point guard with elite shooting and playmaking ability. He is also taller too and potentially easier to build around, with the Hawks having plenty of positional size to play alongside Ball.
For the Grizzlies, they would swap out Marant for a likely better player or at least a better fit in Young. He is one of the most talented scoring point guards in the NBA, not to mention he often ranks among the top three in the league in assists.
This blockbuster trade should be a no-brainer for all three teams
With Memphis being a fringe playoff team even despite their struggles, they may have a strong chance of re-signing Young after this season and pairing him with Jaren Jackson Jr. long-term. Meanwhile, the Hornets would get a home-state star to replace Ball.
Though he is a high-risk, high-reward player, the Hornets could bank on him needing a change of scenery and playing much harder in Charlotte than he did in Memphis. As for the Hawks, they are thriving without Young but don’t want to lose him for nothing.
Getting Ball would be like the Hawks turning the clock back. He is three years younger than Young, much taller, and under contract for the next three seasons. He’d be a no-brainer addition for Atlanta.
All told, the Grizzlies, Hornets, and Hawks swapping star point guards makes plenty of sense for all sides. With the trade deadline a little more than two months away, let’s see if a similar deal involving all three teams and their stars materializes.
