Ja Morant

[esvl]

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:

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:

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.

[basketballwacko2]

If that happens, I can see something around Giannis, Wagner, Cade, or Haliburton.

I don’t expect any Western team getting a chance.

I don't think Haliburton is going anywhere unless you just get crazy with the cheese wiz.

[esvl]

If that happens, I can see something around Giannis, Wagner, Cade, or Haliburton.

I don’t expect any Western team getting a chance.

I don't think Haliburton is going anywhere unless you just get crazy with the cheese wiz.

We’ll see today who goes where

[Skybox]

If that happens, I can see something around Giannis, Wagner, Cade, or Haliburton.

I don’t expect any Western team getting a chance.

I don't think Haliburton is going anywhere unless you just get crazy with the cheese wiz.

We’ll see today who goes where

I can't imagine any of the 4 named would be under consideration for Ja...they are all more complete players than Ja, imo. Giannis is still young enough to make it a hard no...the others are all very young and showing potentially equivalently high upsides without any of the off-court stuff- that is not a small thing.

Having said that Ja is amazing. Electrifying!! But young stars very rarely get traded for other young stars...you never know but

[Scoot McGroot]

If that happens, I can see something around Giannis, Wagner, Cade, or Haliburton.

I don’t expect any Western team getting a chance.

I don't think Haliburton is going anywhere unless you just get crazy with the cheese wiz.

We’ll see today who goes where

You think players will be re assigned new teams after the trade deadline based on the results of one game?

Either way, my guess is Ja goes to Orlando after this game (because Memphis plays there tomorrow night) and Haliburton sticks around Indy for awhile.

[QMemphis]

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:

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:

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.

Ja has more value than Fox we agree and Ja has a better contract though being a more injury prone player. Kings are not great negotiators because I still don’t understand how they didn’t get their own pick swap back smh. What makes that Melo deal not a good example is because Melo could have opted to be a Knick the next summer. The Nuggets could only negotiate with me team really.

I have deemed Jaren our most important player since his sophomore year. His versatility on both ends makes him a top 5 two way player in the league in my opinion. I appreciate the numbers supporting Trips impact but I already know the value he brings.

The more important question why would a top team in the West looking to contend trade their 1st or 2nd best player and on the court leader for parts. If the conversation is to build around Jaren then we are going for two way players not more offensive players who may be defensive liabilities. Ja is a cornerstone for our team and is still playing for the same Coach/GM/Owner combo that drafted him.

[QMemphis]

So if Ja is going to have trade talk at least be reasonable in trade offers.

I agree. The issue of course is we all have our own opinions over what is reasonable. Some posters are going to devalue him because of missed games and how well Memphis played without him. Some are going to devalue him because of his off the court issues. Some are going to devalue him because they don't believe his style of play is sustainable.

Some won't. Some will see guy entering his prime who is a great player when he plays. They will focus exclusively on the positive.

But none that should stifle those who want to talk about it, from talking about it. And those of us(this includes me fwiw) that don't think that its likely he gets dealt at this time, don't have to talk about it.

Understandable that’s why I mentioned just at least offer the Grizz deals that make sense for our team. The lowball offers for a player that’s not even on the market is insulting to the fanbase that’s competing for a title.

No issues discussing value but he means more to us than teams are willing to pay and that makes the whole conversation pointless.

[esvl]

I don't think Haliburton is going anywhere unless you just get crazy with the cheese wiz.

We’ll see today who goes where

You think players will be re assigned new teams after the trade deadline based on the results of one game?

Either way, my guess is Ja goes to Orlando after this game (because Memphis plays there tomorrow night) and Haliburton sticks around Indy for awhile.

You are ruining my view of the world with your predictions

[esvl]

Based on what I see in this game, I feel like yes - Ja can be on the market this summer.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Based on what I see in this game, I feel like yes - Ja can be on the market this summer.

I want to apologize. My deals weren't reasonable. I overvalued Ja.

Ja was, as you put it, @$$

[esvl]

Based on what I see in this game, I feel like yes - Ja can be on the market this summer.

I want to apologize. My deals weren't reasonable. I overvalued Ja.

Ja was, as you put it, @$$

Ja has not been himself recently, for whatever reason. But yes - market shouldn’t, and likely doesn’t care much as long as his performance does not meet the superstar level.

Update
This @@@ might be the reason:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nba/article-14419081/amp/Ja-Morant-burglarized-gang-Travis-Kelce-Patrick-Mahomes-Joe-Burrow.html

[Scoot McGroot]

Based on what I see in this game, I feel like yes - Ja can be on the market this summer.

I want to apologize. My deals weren't reasonable. I overvalued Ja.

Ja was, as you put it, @$$

Ja has not been himself recently, for whatever reason. But yes - market shouldn’t, and likely doesn’t care much as long as his performance does not meet the superstar level.

Update
This @@@ might be the reason:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/nba/article-14419081/amp/Ja-Morant-burglarized-gang-Travis-Kelce-Patrick-Mahomes-Joe-Burrow.html

This was months ago, right? In December?

But also, it doesn’t matter. It’s just one small data point in a season of 82+ such data points. We can’t sweat a single performance.

[Astaluego]

I know the Memphis office denied Ja was available but rumors keep popping up... GRIZZLIES want to be very careful with their finances, avoid having to deal with a costly extension,

Ja/Konchar for Carter/DDR/Monk+Spurs FRP +Future FRP


and stay competitive Kings thought to be built on a fast and electric base with Domantas... get Ja in this trade

[esvl]

I know the Memphis office denied Ja was available but rumors keep popping up... GRIZZLIES want to be very careful with their finances, avoid having to deal with a costly extension,

Ja/Konchar for Carter/DDR/Monk+Spurs FRP +Future FRP
and stay competitive Kings thought to be built on a fast and electric base with Domantas... get Ja in this trade

It is a great idea, but I believe that SAC shouldn’t offer picks here. DDR + Monk + Carter looks already like a very strong offer. Memphis should take it and run away. And then kill themselves in a quite place.