Could Memphis Trade Ja Morant? 8 Potential Deals

[eitanr]

Edited to account for most feedback which noted moves were too good for Memphis. Also added a BK option.

Memphis may be shifting toward a more balanced, deep lineup — one built around defense, matchup-based rotations, and a “shadow” system with no clear alpha. If that’s the direction, Ja Morant’s high-usage style could be a misfit.

Can Ja take a step back in usage? Improve defensively? Possibly. But the Grizzlies may soon have to consider moving him to retool around depth and flexibility. Here are seven possible trade ideas that bring back wings, picks, and system-first fits:

1. Toronto
Grizzlies get: Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick, 2026 TOR 1st, 2028 TOR 1s
Raptors get: Ja Morant

Why for Toronto: With Masai gone, a new GM could look to make a splash. Ja alongside Barnes and Ingram would instantly make them a contender in the East.

Why for Memphis: Quickley brings defense and lower usage; Dick adds a shooting wing to develop. The 2026 pick especially could be high value.

2. Minnesota
Grizzlies get: Jaden McDaniels, Donte DiVincenzo, Terrence Shannon Jr., 2028 MIN 1st, 2 future second rounders
Wolves get: Ja Morant

Why for Minnesota: Ownership likely won’t pass up the chance to pair Ja with Edwards. A bold move to push into title contention.

Why for Memphis: McDaniels fits the defensive identity. Donte/TSJ can platoon at SG, and the picks are strong assets.

3. Houston
Grizzlies get: Alperen Sengun, Reed Sheppard, best of 2027 1st (ie either PHX or BKN via HOU swap), 2029 (best of favorable swaps 1st - via HOU/BKN)
Rockets get: Ja Morant, Zach Edey

Why for Houston: Ja fits better with KD and the core than Sengun does. Edey offers a low-usage, rim-protecting big.

Why for Memphis: Sheppard is a high-upside, defense-first guard. Sengun offers creativity in a system with JJJ. The swapped picks could be gold.

4. New Orleans
Grizzlies get: Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy III, 2027 NOP 1st, 2029 NOP 1st
Pelicans get: Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, John Konchar

Why for New Orleans: Ja and Zion together creates star power and revitalizes the franchise’s ceiling.

Why for Memphis: Murray gives them some of Ja’s value with more control. Trey is a great system wing. Picks are a bonus.

5. Miami
Grizzlies get: Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., 2026 MIA 1st, 2029 MIA 1st
Heat get: Ja Morant

Why for Miami: They’ve missed out on stars, but Ja could be the centerpiece they’ve been hunting.

Why for Memphis: You add youth, picks, and playable wings. Herro could fit next to a defensive PG like Pippen Jr. Jovic and Jaquez are solid long-term bets.

6. Lakers
Grizzlies get: Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht, 2026 swap option (if not used then can be swapped in 2027), 2028 LAL 1st, 2030 1st
Lakers get: Ja Morant

Why for LAL: Fit with LeBron and Luka is a question, but a future Ja-Luka pairing could be dangerous.

Why for Memphis: Reaves is on a great contract. Knecht is a hometown swing. Vincent and Kleber could be waived. Picks could spike in value post-LeBron.

7. Kings
Grizzlies get: Demar DeRozan, Devon Carter, Keon Ellis swap right in 2026 (if not conveyed then 2027), 2029 1st, 2031 1st
Kings get: Ja Morant, Zach Edey, Vince Williams Jr.

Why for Sacramento: They reshape the roster and get a true lead guard to anchor the offense.

Why for Memphis: Ellis and DeMar can fit their deeper style. Carter gives PG depth. The 2026 pick could become premium if the Kings slide.

8. Nets
Grizzlies get: Nic Claxton, 2026 1st, 2030 1st
Nets get: Ja Morant

Why for BK: Nets start cashing in some future picks and get a more bonafide high usage PG, who they desperately need in Ja. The Nets just drafted several bigs and still have Sharpe to man the big slots.

Why for Memphis: the 2026 draft is a coveted one and providing Memphis several bites at the apple are key. Adding a 30 1st is a nice asset as well.

[SlimShady83]

Lol at Lakers offer

[LarsV8]

No thanks from Houston.

Maybe, if you take out Sengun.

[PistolPeteJR]

Why are the Pelicans trading peanuts compared to the other teams’ potential offers?

I don’t think any of these make any sense for any of the teams involved, for what it’s worth. Sorry.

[babyjax13]

I agree that all of these teams should decline the deals as is. For most of them he is a bad fit. OTOH, I think he is quite a good fit with a JJJ/Aldama frontcourt.

[babyjax13]

What about Chicago? They have two stretch 5s and some length on defense.

[psman2]

Why are the Pelicans trading peanuts compared to the other teams’ potential offers?

I don’t think any of these make any sense for any of the teams involved, for what it’s worth. Sorry.

Funny, as a Memphis fans I like the NOP offer better than all but the Houston offer. Trey Murphy III is a good building piece, and I think Murray has a decent shot to bounce back so his inclusion is not a huge negative to me.

But really Memphis is building our whole team around Ja like we have never in the past. Lisalo is going to be implementing a system that if Ja buys into should give him his best chance of having his best season yet.

[Domejandro]

Minnesota cannot trade First Round Draft Picks in 2026 or 2028 because of the Stepien Rule (only swaps). That aside, I don't Minnesota being interested in this offer. They absolutely need a future Point-Guard, but not at the cost of losing all of their wing depth, taking a substantial hit to their defense, and losing multiple cost-controlled contracts. It pretty much guts the team's depth to a degree that I don't think that they would be better off for it.

[BBallFreak]

I don't personally see myself giving up all of this for Ja. It's not that the player isn't worth it, it's the risk of having the person on South Beach. I don't see giving up that much value for that much risk.

I also don't think we can, as we owe a draft pick in 27. Which means we can't trade 26.

[drchaos]

The Nets have the most assets and the flexibility to build around him where other teams might have established players that might not work as well with him.

Any reason you didn't include them?

[daoneandonly]

Way too high a valuation of Ja

[PistolPeteJR]

Why are the Pelicans trading peanuts compared to the other teams’ potential offers?

I don’t think any of these make any sense for any of the teams involved, for what it’s worth. Sorry.

Funny, as a Memphis fans I like the NOP offer better than all but the Houston offer. Trey Murphy III is a good building piece, and I think Murray has a decent to bounce back so his inclusion is not a huge negative to me.

But really Memphis is building our whole team around Ja like we have never in the past. Lisalo is going to be implementing a system that if Ja buys into should give him his best chance of having his best season yet.

Really? If I’m Memphis I think I’d much rather have the package OP proposed from Minnesota, for instance.

[Myth]

Do Lakers have the ability to trade those 1sts?

[esvl]

All offers are laughable from the Grizz fan perspective. Memphis does not trade Ja except obviously overpayment (the exception applies to all NBA players).

[BBallFreak]

All offers are laughable from the Grizz fan perspective. Memphis does not trade Ja except obviously overpayment (the exception applies to all NBA players).

I don't see anyone doing that, given his issues with guns. It's a very bad look for another team. You guys keeping him is you standing by him. Any team acquiring him has to answer questions about his gun toting...

[QMemphis]

Grizz are not interested in trading Ja. If we did none of these offers currently would get it done. Crazy that you prefaced by saying the Grizz are targeting defensive minded players but proceeded to offer us guys like Sengun/Saying Reed is a defensive guard when he couldn’t get on the court because of his defense lol/Broken down Dejounte/Tyler Herro/Austin Reaves these guys are all defensive targets who don’t have close to Ja’s playmaking chops.

Also Houston can’t trade us the Suns 26 1st because we already own it smh (most of the deals are not well thought out and are not possible).

[esvl]

All offers are laughable from the Grizz fan perspective. Memphis does not trade Ja except obviously overpayment (the exception applies to all NBA players).

I don't see anyone doing that, given his issues with guns. It's a very bad look for another team. You guys keeping him is you standing by him. Any team acquiring him has to answer questions about his gun toting...

He doesn’t have have issues with guns; Adam Lizard has. True fans appreciate Ja’s God-given talent and his big heart. Speaking of guns, the fans have been excited about his “grenade” celebration which went viral worldwide. What we would not accept if he gets obsessed with himself or dolls. We would then trade him to Miami.

[LightTheBeam]

The only team I could see biting here is Toronto and maybe Miami. Kings one isn't bad, but the idea of starting Eubanks at center and adding another guard is hilarious. Keegan will be playing center by time we are done.

[JB2]

Do Lakers have the ability to trade those 1sts?

Nope

[nykballa2k4]

Miami and the Kings are two teams with immediate fit.
Kings would of course be pairing him WITH Sabonis.