Ja Morant trade rumors: Destinations, trade ideas, Bucks between teams with some interest

With Trae Young in the nation’s capital AND Anthony Davis misses time with hand injury (ending trade talks on him), Ja Morant becomes the biggest name potentially moved at the deadline.

Memphis should be able to get more for Morant than Atlanta got for Young because teams are “more intrigued by his potential than Trae,” as one former front office member told NBC Sports. That said, Morant’s baggage, injury history and salary mean the Grizzlies won’t get close to what they got last summer for Desmond Bane (Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, four firsts and a pick swap). Meanwhile, Morant remains out with a calf injury.

Announcement

There’s tons of news about Morant’s potential destinations, so let’s break it down in points:

• The Milwaukee Bucks, desperate for more talent to put around Giannis Antetokounmpo, are interested in Morant, reports excellent contact Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

This pairing seems strange because Morant and Antetokounmpo play a similar offensive style of play: they need the ball in their hands to drive downhill, get into the lane, and score or create for others. Neither is great without the ball. It seems like there would only be two stars alternating, and how much better does that make the Bucks?

However, this is a legitimate rumor. Owczarski also reports that the Bucks are still interested in Zach LaVine, a fit that makes the most sense on the court.

Announcement

• Sacramento Kings are ‘lukewarm at best’ on Morant addition, reports John Hollinger at The Athletic. What is the smart move for Sactown, while this team needs talent, Morant is not the roll of the dice this team should be taking. However, as noted by Hollinger, the unpredictability of the Vivek Ranadive factor means they cannot be ruled out.

• An interesting name that Hollinger mentions as a dark horse: the Brooklyn Nets. They’ll trade Michael Porter Jr. at the deadline — he’s the safest player to get traded — and it could be the perfect team to take a flyer on Morant, hoping a new situation is what he needs to return to his All-Star form.

• Many people cite Minnesota as potentially needing a point guard, but league sources told NBC Sports not to expect them to enter the fray (the Timberwolves would have to give up too much depth to make the money work, such as a three or four-for-one deal, and are currently looking for a less expensive option).

• Toronto is another team mentioned, trading Immanuel Quickley and other assets to the Grizzlies (which is what the Raptors offered Atlanta for Young last summer). Does it make sense for Toronto now? The Raptors are in fourth place in the East. Why would they ruin their chemistry and send more players to bring in Morant, who would dominate the ball on a team better at sharing it? Expect Toronto to chase a center.

Announcement

• Miami is mentioned as interested, though it’s fair to wonder whether Morant is a good fit for the Heat’s culture. Jake Fischer at Stein Line reported that the Heat are wondering exactly that, “whether the organization could foster a productive environment for Ja Morant to bounce back to his All-Star best.”

• A point guard swap between Morant and LaMelo Ball – something that was speculated about earlier in the season – is highly unlikely now, Fischer reported. With Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller in Charlotte as key parts of the future, it’s hard to imagine why the Hornets would make this deal.