ReggiesKnicks wrote:QMemphis wrote:So if Ja is going to have trade talk at least be reasonable in trade offers.
Let me share my view of Ja Morant.
2024: 9 Games Played
2025: 2.9 OBPM, .120 WS/48, -20 TS+, Good +/- profile on first glance
The thing is, Ja's impact is predicated on Jaren Jackson Jr, a better player, sharing the floor with Ja
Ja + JJJ: +13.15![]()
Ja, No JJJ: +1.6
No Ja, JJJ: +8.6
No Ja, No JJJ: +2.7
JJJ is the correlation to winning minutes on the court, not Ja. Then you have the dip in box-score production for Ja, his most inefficient season scoring the basketball since his 2nd year and a slight drop-off in volume and efficiency when scoring at the rim and it raises some red flags about a player who relies heavily on athleticism who is seeing some not-so-positive signs regarding athleticism and efficiency at 25 years old.
Now, I understand Ja Morant is still the face of the Memphis Grizzles, a team which has gone nowhere in the post-season during his tenure as the guy. As JJJ has emerged as the best player on Memphis, this may lead to Memphis being better in the post-season, but Memphis isn't better in the post-season because of Ja.
Where I would push-back on my argument is Ja has an incredible playoff resume so far. Excellent box-score and advanced metrics paint him as a playoff riser while his level of competition, which has been out of his control, hasn't been good outside of the Golden State Warrior series in 2022.
This would lead me to view Ja Morant as the outside looking in as a Top 20 player in the NBA. It is hard for me to have an offensive only, defensive negative, non-shooting point guard as a Top 20 player in today's NBA. Again, to push back against my previous statement, Ja was clearly Top 20 in 2022 and 2023, so perhaps Ja is capable to returning to form as a Top 20 player in the NBA. I would have reservations about this though, supported by my comments above.
Reverting back to your original comment, posted below:QMemphis wrote:So if Ja is going to have trade talk at least be reasonable in trade offers.
What is a reasonable offer for a 25 year old, somewhat limited player, Top 30 player (being nice here and throwing out a number on the higher side of my assessment of Ja) in the midst of his prime who relies heavily on athleticism?
Carmelo Anthony was traded at Age 26 for the following:
-Kosta Koufas (Late 1st round pick 3 years prior)
-Wilson Chandler (Low-end starter on a bad team in final rookie contract season)
-Raymond Felton (Low-end starter in mid-20s)
-Danilo Gallinari (Higher Upside prospect in 3rd season)
-Timofey Mozgov (Back-up Center)
-2 1st round picks
Carmelo, up to this point, had no injury concerns. He was a 4-time All-NBA player and 3-time All-Star.
Next up, De'Aaron Fox who was traded at Age 27 for the following:
-Zach LaVine
-Cidy Cissoko (waived)
-CHA 2026 and 2027 2nds
-2026 1st
-2031 1st
-2028 2nd
I agree Ja has more value than Fox given he has had higher peaks and is signed for 2 additional years.
I think the sweet spot for a Ja deal is somewhere in-between these two deals, which is exactly what I proposed initially, a swap of Sengun, who I view as more valuable than Fox. Someone mentioned Trae Young, who is better than Fox. Ingram + Top 6 pick in the 2025 draft, against more value than what Fox was traded for. Dame + MIL 2031 1st (I think Dame is a tier or two better than Fox as a player, albeit significantly older).
These all seem reasonable. You know what isn't reasonable, this take:esvl wrote:Astaluego wrote:Edey+Ja for Sabonis?
Edey is a high chance next Sabonis, but for 3 next years at 5mln cheap. There is a ground for the straight swap discussion, sure.
Nobody in their right mind think Edey will ever be a 20/14/8 player, ever. Oh, and this was posted by a Memphis fan.
It does appear there are reasonable offers in this thread, and unreasonable, like you said.
You want what - to change our views on Ja and Edey ? Us who watched every minute of their performances and read every review of their game?
Take your Lavine and Ingram offers and use them for pleasure. Or discuss them with Chuck - it looks like you guys share similar love for Ja and Grizzlies.