Shams - Morant on the market

[dagger]

From a trade perspective, Ochai might be holding some value because he can defend. If his three point shooting would only improve a bit, he might be a coveted addition to a larger trade, even a contribution to a multi-team trade.

[Saul Goodman]

Cant compare him and Ball. Ball is actually a lineup fit because he can shoot. Morant would likely make us worse than having Quickley. Pass

[MEDIC]

Sam Amick of the Athletic has some interesting intelligence on the market: The reason Trae Young got the Hawks so little is that General Managers serious about developing a contender are putting a higher price on two-way players - stars who can play decent defence.

Unless you go the way of Nikola Jokić and Steph Curry — stars who faced early criticism for their ability on that end, only to grow into capable defenders — you face serious scrutiny. And, in Young’s case, a lack of leverage when it’s time to relocate.

He’s not alone, though. As one scout told me recently, that’s a quiet subplot to this trade deadline season when it comes to some of the high-profile stars who might be available. If you don’t guard, then trading you might be hard.

“(Memphis’) Ja (Morant), Trae and (Charlotte’s’) LaMelo (Ball) don’t have that much value because the game has changed around them,” he said.

Smart. Although I am not sure why this is a new idea. It's always been this way.

You have to be super elite offensively if you are below avg defensively & want to contend. There are only a few of those guys in the league at any time.

My opinion is, unless you are an above average defender, I don't want to pay you a big or long term contract. Unless you are Curry or the like. I'll find someone cheaper.

[MEDIC]

From a trade perspective, Ochai might be holding some value because he can defend. If his three point shooting would only improve a bit, he might be a coveted addition to a larger trade, even a contribution to a multi-team trade.

Yeah, I think there will be some teams out there that have interest. Teams getting ready for a playoff run.

I could totally see Ochai suddenly finding his shot again on the Knicks or Warriors.

[Westside Gunn]

He will love the summers here thats when the guns come out

[Tor_Raps]

Trae made more sense than Ja tbh

[iBall101]

His trade value is at an all time low right now. They should've traded him at the deadline last year.

[ArthurVandelay]

Didn’t see this posted…..

ESPN 4 mock trades…and Raptors win?!?!?
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/47561810/ja-morant-trade-guide-four-deals-memphis-grizzlies-consider#mil

Toronto Raptors get:

Ja Morant

Memphis Grizzlies get:

Immanuel Quickley
Ochai Agbaji
2026 first-round pick (top-14 protected)

At last year's trade deadline, the Raptors dealt a first-round pick to the New Orleans Pelicans for Brandon Ingram, a former All-Star without much of a trade market. In this proposal, Toronto pounces on another opportunity to acquire a similarly undervalued former All-Star for one first-round pick.

In so doing, the Raptors would attempt to upgrade at the point guard position, where Quickley has been fine but unspectacular since joining the team in the OG Anunoby trade in December 2023. This season, Quickley has a 15.5 player efficiency rating (15.0 is average), which seems a fair assessment of his current value.

Morant would offer far more upside, albeit with a greater downside, but that's a reasonable risk for a team that could use a top-tier playmaker to seriously contend in the East. The Raptors rank third in defensive rating this season but only 20th on offense with Quickley running the show.

Memphis might reasonably ask for more draft compensation to take back Quickley's contract, which is somewhat underwater as it extends for another three years at $32.5 million per season. But if the situation with Morant has become so toxic that the Grizzlies just need a replacement -- and the expected trade return for him has fallen accordingly -- getting another first-round pick in a loaded 2026 draft could benefit them regardless. -- Kram

That leaves us with the winner. For the Raptors, a Morant trade is similar to the approach last year when they took a chance on trading for the injured Ingram. In a wide-open East, a combination of Morant, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Ingram could push them toward the top of the conference. Toronto also gains an extra year of financial freedom by swapping Quickley for Morant.

Memphis, on the other hand, would now have three first-round picks this season and a starter in Quickley who is under a manageable contract for the next four seasons. -- Marks

[mtcan]

Clearly he prioritizes the thug life and trolling authority more than winning at basketball.

Heat Culture may turn him around. Maybe he has a relationship with Darko that gets him to lock in?

That said...his play style isn't going age well and if he doesn't learn how to shoot...his prime will come and go very quickly.

[RapsFanInOhio]

I could see this happening. I’m completely on the fence about whether I would agree with it.

Why I wouldn’t like it: I don’t know that you want his personality blended in with the culture. I’m not buying that he’s peaked as a player, but he’s absolutely coasting by and is clearly checked out of playing for Memphis. He’s missed a ton of time over the last few seasons (but so did Ingram). Most importantly, I’m worried he negatively impacts our already poor spacing and may not buy in to the system.

Why I think they would do it, and why I could be sold on it: He’s an upgrade over IQ, and creating a trade is pretty easy because of IQ’s contract. In a sneaky way, you get yourself out of the final year of IQ’s deal. He has super high upside still (dropped 40 last week) and you could be buying low. Even if you have concerns with how his game translates as he ages, you’re getting him from ages 27-29 and he’s still in his athletic prime, in theory. You’re probably not bringing back Ochai so you’re not losing that expiring deal for nothing. Even if we give up a first, it’s going to be a mid 1st where you’re adding a guy who isn’t likely to get major minutes away. And overall, you’re probably increasing the ceiling of the team.

High risk, high reward type of deal. But the risk is somewhat mitigated by the flexibility you gain getting out of IQ’s deal.

[RapsFanInOhio]

Didn’t see this posted…..

ESPN 4 mock trades…and Raptors win?!?!?
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/47561810/ja-morant-trade-guide-four-deals-memphis-grizzlies-consider#mil

Toronto Raptors get:

Ja Morant

Memphis Grizzlies get:

Immanuel Quickley
Ochai Agbaji
2026 first-round pick (top-14 protected)

At last year's trade deadline, the Raptors dealt a first-round pick to the New Orleans Pelicans for Brandon Ingram, a former All-Star without much of a trade market. In this proposal, Toronto pounces on another opportunity to acquire a similarly undervalued former All-Star for one first-round pick.

In so doing, the Raptors would attempt to upgrade at the point guard position, where Quickley has been fine but unspectacular since joining the team in the OG Anunoby trade in December 2023. This season, Quickley has a 15.5 player efficiency rating (15.0 is average), which seems a fair assessment of his current value.

Morant would offer far more upside, albeit with a greater downside, but that's a reasonable risk for a team that could use a top-tier playmaker to seriously contend in the East. The Raptors rank third in defensive rating this season but only 20th on offense with Quickley running the show.

Memphis might reasonably ask for more draft compensation to take back Quickley's contract, which is somewhat underwater as it extends for another three years at $32.5 million per season. But if the situation with Morant has become so toxic that the Grizzlies just need a replacement -- and the expected trade return for him has fallen accordingly -- getting another first-round pick in a loaded 2026 draft could benefit them regardless. -- Kram

That leaves us with the winner. For the Raptors, a Morant trade is similar to the approach last year when they took a chance on trading for the injured Ingram. In a wide-open East, a combination of Morant, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Ingram could push them toward the top of the conference. Toronto also gains an extra year of financial freedom by swapping Quickley for Morant.

Memphis, on the other hand, would now have three first-round picks this season and a starter in Quickley who is under a manageable contract for the next four seasons. -- Marks

This is a good assessment, I think. It seems like a realistic thing that could happen.

[brownbobcat]

I could see this happening. I’m completely on the fence about whether I would agree with it.

Why I wouldn’t like it: I don’t know that you want his personality blended in with the culture. I’m not buying that he’s peaked as a player, but he’s absolutely coasting by and is clearly checked out of playing for Memphis. He’s missed a ton of time over the last few seasons (but so did Ingram). Most importantly, I’m worried he negatively impacts our already poor spacing and may not buy in to the system.

Why I think they would do it, and why I could be sold on it: He’s an upgrade over IQ, and creating a trade is pretty easy because of IQ’s contract. In a sneaky way, you get yourself out of the final year of IQ’s deal. He has super high upside still (dropped 40 last week) and you could be buying low. Even if you have concerns with how his game translates as he ages, you’re getting him from ages 27-29 and he’s still in his athletic prime, in theory. You’re probably not bringing back Ochai so you’re not losing that expiring deal for nothing. Even if we give up a first, it’s going to be a mid 1st where you’re adding a guy who isn’t likely to get major minutes away. And overall, you’re probably increasing the ceiling of the team.

High risk, high reward type of deal. But the risk is somewhat mitigated by the flexibility you gain getting out of IQ’s deal.

It's not a good fit on paper. But is there a 5% chance Morant could turn things around and get back to just playing basketball? It's intriguing. I wouldn't want to give up any FRPs though.

[wegotthabeet]

Somehow I feel he'll fetch much worse value than Trae

It’ll be similar value. I don’t think Memphis gets even one 1st.

[KRANG]

You need a lot of mature veterans around him to keep his head on straight. I'm not totally against it, but you'd need some older guys to keep him on the right path.

Lowry, Gasol, Ibaka types

[ArthurVandelay]

Didn’t see this posted…..

ESPN 4 mock trades…and Raptors win?!?!?
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/47561810/ja-morant-trade-guide-four-deals-memphis-grizzlies-consider#mil

Toronto Raptors get:

Ja Morant

Memphis Grizzlies get:

Immanuel Quickley
Ochai Agbaji
2026 first-round pick (top-14 protected)

At last year's trade deadline, the Raptors dealt a first-round pick to the New Orleans Pelicans for Brandon Ingram, a former All-Star without much of a trade market. In this proposal, Toronto pounces on another opportunity to acquire a similarly undervalued former All-Star for one first-round pick.

In so doing, the Raptors would attempt to upgrade at the point guard position, where Quickley has been fine but unspectacular since joining the team in the OG Anunoby trade in December 2023. This season, Quickley has a 15.5 player efficiency rating (15.0 is average), which seems a fair assessment of his current value.

Morant would offer far more upside, albeit with a greater downside, but that's a reasonable risk for a team that could use a top-tier playmaker to seriously contend in the East. The Raptors rank third in defensive rating this season but only 20th on offense with Quickley running the show.

Memphis might reasonably ask for more draft compensation to take back Quickley's contract, which is somewhat underwater as it extends for another three years at $32.5 million per season. But if the situation with Morant has become so toxic that the Grizzlies just need a replacement -- and the expected trade return for him has fallen accordingly -- getting another first-round pick in a loaded 2026 draft could benefit them regardless. -- Kram

That leaves us with the winner. For the Raptors, a Morant trade is similar to the approach last year when they took a chance on trading for the injured Ingram. In a wide-open East, a combination of Morant, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Ingram could push them toward the top of the conference. Toronto also gains an extra year of financial freedom by swapping Quickley for Morant.

Memphis, on the other hand, would now have three first-round picks this season and a starter in Quickley who is under a manageable contract for the next four seasons. -- Marks

CBS with their 5 mock trades for Ja Morant featuring Raptors
https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/ja-morant-landing-spots-mock-trades-timberwolves-bucks-kings/

Morant to the Raptors
Raptors get: Ja Morant
Grizzlies get: Immanuel Quickley, Ochai Agbaji, Garrett Temple
This is, functionally, a challenge trade. Quickley makes slightly less money, but has one more year on his contract. He has never been an All-Star like Morant, but he does all of the things that Morant doesn't. He's a competent defender. He makes 3s consistently. He's a generally low-maintenance player. Both sides would be betting that the player they're acquiring is more valuable than the one they're giving up, and it would take a few years to figure out who was right.

The fit, in both cases, raises questions. Toronto already ranks 24th in the NBA in 3-point attempt rate and 22nd in 3-point percentage. A guard who can't shoot isn't exactly an ideal fit on a roster with Scottie Barnes, whose shooting has swung wildly throughout his career, and Jakob Poeltl, a center who has attempted seven 3s in his entire career. Toronto's No. 3-ranked defense could integrate Morant comfortably enough, but its pass-heavy, egalitarian offense is a more questionable fit. Having Morant as a secondary creator for bench lineups wouldn't mean all that much either. The Raptors already have one of the NBA's best benches.

The fit, in both cases, raises questions. Toronto already ranks 24th in the NBA in 3-point attempt rate and 22nd in 3-point percentage. A guard who can't shoot isn't exactly an ideal fit on a roster with Scottie Barnes, whose shooting has swung wildly throughout his career, and Jakob Poeltl, a center who has attempted seven 3s in his entire career. Toronto's No. 3-ranked defense could integrate Morant comfortably enough, but its pass-heavy, egalitarian offense is a more questionable fit. Having Morant as a secondary creator for bench lineups wouldn't mean all that much either. The Raptors already have one of the NBA's best benches.

This move would be the opposite of that. It would only work if the Grizzlies actually wanted Quickley, and it's not clear why they would unless they're absolutely determined to move off of Morant and have no other options. As badly as the Raptors need a talent boost, there are just more sensible ways to go about it than this. Don't count the Raptors as especially likely, but until they actually make their big swing, whatever it is, they're going to be linked to trades like this.

[Raptorfan2012]

If Trae Young couldn’t get you a first rounder, Ja definitely will not get you one.

[RaptorPride]

I used to be a fan of him but he shot him self in the foot and lost years of development which would have made him a star. I don't even know if he would get back to what he used to be. Rather LeMelo all day.

[Zeno]

I don’t think trading for Ja is a good idea at all because even if you overlook everything else, his shooting is a poor fit with the rest of the roster. But if it did happen, my only hope is that it signals some endorsement by Darko and that somehow some previous relationship would restore him to his earlier form.

[6ixpessant]

I'm not opposed to Morant. The Grizzlies themselves might a trainwreck internally. Players do check out over time.

I would expect the Raptors would do their due dilligence. He's 26, and a massive change of scenery and culture might be what the dude needs.

I don't think it'll happen, but when was on a couple of years ago, he was pretty special.

[FluLikeSymptoms]

He’s more rich white kid acting up than gangster but he makes no sense with Scottie so unless we go back to 1993 there’s no reason to get the poor man’s Kevin Johnson.