After the latest controversy surrounding Ja Morant, the Memphis Grizzlies may finally be forced to trade him, with the Minnesota Timberwolves being the perfect landing spot.
On paper, the Timberwolves might seem like a far-fetched landing spot for Morant. Still, the Timberwolves could have enough assets to pursue him if he becomes available.
After all, they need a long-term point guard with Mike Conley on his last legs. Also, Rudy Gobert is entering the final stage of his career. However, the Wolves could afford to part with one of their three-headed monster big-man rotation, which also includes Naz Reid and Julian Randle.
Striking a balance between pursuing Morant and keeping the core of the team that made the Western Conference Finals back-to-back seasons will be key. That will be tough, but not impossible.
This proposed Ja Morant trade would ship him to the Minnesota Timberwolves
The proposed trade would send Julius Randle and Rob Dillingham to the Grizzlies in exchange for Morant. Depending on how badly the Grizzlies want to move on from Morant, this could be a potentially intriguing deal.
There likely wouldn’t be many takers for Morant’s considering his numbers have progressively dwindled year-over-year over the last five seasons. He simply isn’t the All-NBA player he was when he was 22 years old.
Instead, he is merely an above-average starting point guard who is being paid like a star. Then again, perhaps he is in need of a new team, with him potentially having soured on Memphis. Playing alongside Anthony Edwards might just be what he needs to reinvent himself and reemerge as an All-Star point guard.
He is only 26 years old and could be the perfect gamble for the Wolves to make if they hope to contend with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference. On the other hand, the Grizzlies might just be looking to get off of Morant and get the best possible return they can for him.
The Memphis Grizzlies must take what they can get for Morant
Randall isn’t a perfect fit, with him being a power forward and Jaren Jackson Jr. also spending time there. However, he might be the best player the Grizzlies could get for Morant, and he could have retrade value.
The Grizzlies getting the most out of a potential Morant deal is key, but with his antics and declining play, he may not have the type of trade value they are hoping for. That could give the Wolves a chance to make a relatively strong offer and pair a former all-star with a superstar in Edwards.
All told, the Grizzlies may have finally reached the point of no return with Morant, whose antics have proven that he isn’t a franchise player. If they opt to trade him, they may not get as much for him as many Grizzlies fans would expect. However, the Wolves could put together a competitive trade package that could appeal to Memphis and make Minnesota a true contender.
