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Shams - Morant on the market

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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#201 » by ATLTimekeeper » Tue Jan 13, 2026 1:44 pm

Madvillainy2004 wrote:
HumbleRen wrote:Vastly prefer Trae or Lamelo. Ja would hate our offensive system and he’s a terrible shooter.


Yeah if i was gonna risk on a headcase/injury prone guard Lamelo would be the guy and could help our weaknesses. Ja is like an insanely terrible shooter, which regardless if he goes to like 34-36% (no guarantee) he wont get guarded like a shooter anyways. He also cant finish in the paint anymore?

Wed basically be trading on the hope Ja goes back to his 2022-23 form with us and was just tired of Memphis. Which like sure i guess it could happen. This is also assuming Ja can actually stay on the court lmao


No, he still finishes in the paint about the same. He doesn't take as many shots there, but still better than LaMelo. He's always going to be a top 10 player in drives/g, which is something this offense could use. The issues are that he plays best with a PnR roller, like Poeltl, who is also never available. We'd be hearing a lot of 'they're 10-3 when both Jakob and Morant play over the last 2 seasons.' Also that he occupies a lot of the ball. We'd be a different offense.

LaMelo will always be hurt because he's 180 and 6'7. He's too physically weak to play in this league for a long period of time, and he's adapted his game to stay on the margins. Ja is 174 and 6"2. He's also too skinny to have a long healthy career. One guy is way cheaper and has less term on his deal if it goes south.
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#202 » by MiamiSPX » Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:08 pm

Even if the Raps can look past his buffoonery, he never plays, I saw a graphic that of all the guys we make fun of for never playing (Zion, AD, Porzingis, etc), he has actually played less games than them over the last 4-5 years.

Do we even know if he and his people can travel freely between the U.S. and Canada without issues? I mean, the fact we have to ask that question is probably red flag #1.
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#203 » by Thaddy » Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:08 pm

If all it costs is IQ+Ochai+2027 1st (lottery protected) do we actually say no?

That's a very buy low price.

MiamiSPX wrote:Even if the Raps can look past his buffoonery, he never plays, I saw a graphic that of all the guys we make fun of for never playing (Zion, AD, Porzingis, etc), he has actually played less games than them over the last 4-5 years.

Do we even know if he and his people can travel freely between the U.S. and Canada without issues? I mean, the fact we have to ask that question is probably red flag #1.

That's a feature not a bug. We don't want any Morant friends in Canada. This kind of thing could actually bump up his value. :lol:
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#204 » by MiamiSPX » Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:38 pm

Thaddy wrote:If all it costs is IQ+Ochai+2027 1st (lottery protected) do we actually say no?

That's a very buy low price.

MiamiSPX wrote:Even if the Raps can look past his buffoonery, he never plays, I saw a graphic that of all the guys we make fun of for never playing (Zion, AD, Porzingis, etc), he has actually played less games than them over the last 4-5 years.

Do we even know if he and his people can travel freely between the U.S. and Canada without issues? I mean, the fact we have to ask that question is probably red flag #1.

That's a feature not a bug. We don't want any Morant friends in Canada. This kind of thing could actually bump up his value. :lol:


No draft picks should be leaving our side for a guy that is averaging 44 games played over the last 5 seasons, and is an immature idiot. If anything, the Grizzlies should be paying someone a draft pick to get off that contract and those headaches.

Ja still has leverage in that if he sends word he doesn't want to go to a particular city, then you stay far, far away from him. He'll need babysitting even in a city he loves, let alone one in which he doesn't want to be.
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#205 » by Clutch0z24 » Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:41 pm

Thaddy wrote:If all it costs is IQ+Ochai+2027 1st (lottery protected) do we actually say no?

That's a very buy low price.

MiamiSPX wrote:Even if the Raps can look past his buffoonery, he never plays, I saw a graphic that of all the guys we make fun of for never playing (Zion, AD, Porzingis, etc), he has actually played less games than them over the last 4-5 years.

Do we even know if he and his people can travel freely between the U.S. and Canada without issues? I mean, the fact we have to ask that question is probably red flag #1.

That's a feature not a bug. We don't want any Morant friends in Canada. This kind of thing could actually bump up his value. :lol:


We don't say no....We would take that deal....Depends what other teams are offering for them to accept that deal.

Bucks might offer a pick as well if they are desperate enough....Bucks have the best chance at landing him according to the betting odds.
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#206 » by Lord_Zedd » Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:43 pm

Yeah, absolutely no way I'm coughing up a 1st for Ja Morant. Guy is already on a decline and Memphis are winning games without him.

Not to mention his off court antics
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#207 » by Clutch0z24 » Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:45 pm

Lord_Zedd wrote:Yeah, absolutely no way I'm coughing up a 1st for Ja Morant. Guy is already on a decline and Memphis are winning games without him.

Not to mention his off court antics


If its lottery protected in 2027 that would prolly end up in the 20s....If they want no protections i could see Bobby giving up this years pick to get off Quickley....It will be in the 20s anyways...
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#208 » by HumbleRen » Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:48 pm

Clutch0z24 wrote:
Lord_Zedd wrote:Yeah, absolutely no way I'm coughing up a 1st for Ja Morant. Guy is already on a decline and Memphis are winning games without him.

Not to mention his off court antics


If its lottery protected in 2027 that would prolly end up in the 20s....If they want no protections i could see Bobby giving up this years pick to get off Quickley....It will be in the 20s anyways...


They'll do a 2027 one imo. 2026 might be even deeper than 2025. 2027 might be worse than 2024.
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#209 » by MiamiSPX » Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:54 pm

The rumors are the Bucks are going to take the gamble. For sure they'll part with that 2031 first rounder, and will probably leave it unprotected. Horst won't be around when that pick conveys anyway, so what does he care.

Memphis should take that and run. That will be a post-Giannis first rounder.
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#210 » by Troubadour » Tue Jan 13, 2026 2:56 pm

MiamiSPX wrote:The rumors are the Bucks are going to take the gamble. For sure they'll part with that 2031 first rounder, and will probably leave it unprotected. Horst won't be around when that pick conveys anyway, so what does he care.

Memphis should take that and run. That will be a post-Giannis first rounder.


That makes sense.

Re: Raptors and Morant, I just don't get how the Raptors are facing "win-now" pressure (per Marc Stein) when Darko swears up and down that this year two of a rebuild. Someone is lying!
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#211 » by ATLTimekeeper » Tue Jan 13, 2026 3:12 pm

Lord_Zedd wrote:Yeah, absolutely no way I'm coughing up a 1st for Ja Morant. Guy is already on a decline and Memphis are winning games without him.

Not to mention his off court antics


The more serious stuff seems to be in the past. He yelled at his coach and got suspended, but so did Pascal Siakam. We know in hindsight that Nick Nurse and the Raptors were in the wrong there and we ended up with a soured relationship for a very good player and gave him up for next to nothing. This Memphis FO also has a history of scapegoating their players. The clash with Iisalo was a few years in the making. The Memphis FO made Jenkins fire his assistants to bring in these expensive progressive European coaches, who took the ball out of Morant's hands. This eventually led to Jenkins getting fired, and Iisalo getting the job. Then they moved off Bane to save money. It looks like they are aiming for yet another tear-down.

If the 'first' is a late first, it's not that valuable for the potential gain in talent. We're talking about one of the primary playoff skills, which is making defenses bend.
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#212 » by ArthurVandelay » Tue Jan 13, 2026 3:20 pm

I tell you how much I don't want Ja: I'd trade for Lamelo over him and include draft picks.
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#213 » by Clutch0z24 » Tue Jan 13, 2026 3:22 pm

Troubadour wrote:
MiamiSPX wrote:The rumors are the Bucks are going to take the gamble. For sure they'll part with that 2031 first rounder, and will probably leave it unprotected. Horst won't be around when that pick conveys anyway, so what does he care.

Memphis should take that and run. That will be a post-Giannis first rounder.


That makes sense.

Re: Raptors and Morant, I just don't get how the Raptors are facing "win-now" pressure (per Marc Stein) when Darko swears up and down that this year two of a rebuild. Someone is lying!


I think the rebuild went out the window the moment we traded for Ingram....Thats a compete move and thats why you see Bobby trying to make more compete moves....Usually in a rebuild you are not trying to be a playoff team and prioritize high draft picks.
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#214 » by ATLTimekeeper » Tue Jan 13, 2026 3:24 pm

Troubadour wrote:
MiamiSPX wrote:The rumors are the Bucks are going to take the gamble. For sure they'll part with that 2031 first rounder, and will probably leave it unprotected. Horst won't be around when that pick conveys anyway, so what does he care.

Memphis should take that and run. That will be a post-Giannis first rounder.


That makes sense.

Re: Raptors and Morant, I just don't get how the Raptors are facing "win-now" pressure (per Marc Stein) when Darko swears up and down that this year two of a rebuild. Someone is lying!


Both could be true, though.

But you really have to pay attention to the wording in these rumours. Stein's comment was essentially that rival executives have speculated win-now pressure on the Raptors based on their conversations with Dallas and Atlanta. The exact comparison was to do something similar to the Ingram trade. That was assumed to be a late first and expirings for Brandon Ingram. These trade rumours are speculating this year's first or a lotto protected first plus one of our non-star players on a long-term contract for, like Sabonis, Ja, LaMelo.

The Raptors obviously have team needs, and they have some young players they like, so they have a surplus of young players and potentially weak picks to make a trade for talent. Keep the guys you like, move TRoss and a first for Serge Ibaka type decisions.
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#215 » by Los_29 » Tue Jan 13, 2026 3:40 pm

Appostis wrote:
Tor_Raps wrote:
bon wrote:People seriously using his stats this season as an indication of his ability when he’s obviously been phoning it in most of the season. Yeah it’s crappy and Vince doing it way back when makes it hit close to home but how about we be on the receiving end of that? I didn’t hear many Nets fans complaining about his 27.5 ppg post trade.

As for the durability concerns; we just did this all summer with Ingram. He’s been healthy *knock on wood* and came back pretty quickly from his hand injury. I think you can trust the medical staff by now.


The fit doesnt make sense on paper but Ja's such a talent upgrade over IQ that you make the trade if the price is as low as its being rumored. The current team is 1st round fodder so why not take the gamble on a player whos the same age with star potential. Worst case if it doesnt work, you trade Ja as an expiring contract for someone else.


Shame his stats don't back up this claim..


Morant has also been play-in/first round fodder. Guy who heavily relies on his athleticism, has a lengthy injury history, can’t shoot and can’t stay out of trouble is a recipe for disaster. His game won’t age well.
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#216 » by YoungG » Tue Jan 13, 2026 6:02 pm

The conundrum is, do the Raptors look to upgrade based on low cost (Morant), or try to nab one of Garland or Ball away from their respective teams? Maybe, IQ + Dick + 2027 FRP gets it done for Morant? Is a trade like that worth it?
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#217 » by Appostis » Tue Jan 13, 2026 6:13 pm

Morant is a declining player.

-Worse shooter,
-Worse point of attack defender player
-More injury prone
-Worse for the team
-Contract is as bad or worse...
-And is a locker room cancer

People stuck on him being a all-star 3+ years ago who the game has past him by.
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#218 » by Nebuchadnezzar » Tue Jan 13, 2026 6:25 pm

Appostis wrote:Morant is a declining player.

-Worse shooter,
-Worse point of attack defender player
-More injury prone
-Worse for the team
-Contract is as bad or worse...
-And is a locker room cancer

People stuck on him being a all-star 3+ years ago who the game has past him by.


I wouldn't say he's declining - he's a distressed asset. There have been quite a few stars in a bad situation that don't play well. Get traded, then return to form - i.e Harden, Kawhi, Vince, etc.

Environment and impact on the player matter
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#219 » by Appostis » Tue Jan 13, 2026 6:29 pm

Nebuchadnezzar wrote:
Appostis wrote:Morant is a declining player.

-Worse shooter,
-Worse point of attack defender player
-More injury prone
-Worse for the team
-Contract is as bad or worse...
-And is a locker room cancer

People stuck on him being a all-star 3+ years ago who the game has past him by.


I wouldn't say he's declining - he's a distressed asset. There have been quite a few stars in a bad situation that don't play well. Get traded, then return to form - i.e Harden, Kawhi, Vince, etc.

Environment and impact on the player matter


3 years worse of worsening stats.

He never was a good to great defender or 3 point shooter.
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Re: Shams - Morant on the market 

Post#220 » by Raps in 4 » Tue Jan 13, 2026 6:34 pm

Trading for Ja now after Trae, a much better fit, was just available for literally free would be peak lunacy.

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