The Grizzlies have had a good season, but it hasn’t satisfied their internal goals. That was demonstrated after they made a shocking move on Friday afternoon, firing long-time head coach Taylor Jenkins.
Jenkins’ sudden dismissal fueled speculation that Ja Morant could be the next to go. He was a hot name shortly after the All-Star break after The Ringer’s Howard Beck stated that executives were keeping an eye on him this summer. Grizzlies’ general manager Zach Kleiman quickly responded that the team wasn’t looking to shop him.
That claim is looking shakier after the Jenkins news.
Morant has been good this season, but he’s been a level below his usually-high standards. His scoring and efficiency are both down, and he’s had problems staying on the floor due to numerous injuries. Jaren Jackson Jr. has emerged as the best player on the team, and it may be worth considering retooling around Jackson.
If the Grizzlies did make Morant available, then there would be plenty of interest. The 25-year-old guard has made two All-Star teams and one All-NBA team. Here are the best fits for him.
Ranking Ja Morant’s best trade fits
5. Suns
Everybody knows that Kevin Durant is getting moved this summer. The Grizzlies were reportedly interested in the star, according to former Warriors general manager and ESPN analyst Bob Myers. That deal was killed after Durant expressed that he didn’t want to go to Memphis.
If Durant were to change his mind, then a Morant-for-Durant swap would make sense. It would help the Suns get a lot younger and vastly improve the hole that they have at the point guard position. Morant and Devin Booker would form one of the best backcourts in the league.
For the Grizzlies, the appeal is obvious. Durant is significantly older, but he was a better player than Morant last season. His scoring can fit in anywhere, and he and Jaren Jackson Jr. would give Memphis great rim protection.
The Grizzlies would have to throw in some extra salary in order to make this deal work. Brandon Clarke and Morant in exchange for Durant could be a good framework for a trade. Both teams have picks available to balance the value out.
4. Heat
The Heat have been stumbling after trading Jimmy Butler. They thought that they had enough to win without him. It turns out that they were very wrong.
Miami could replenish its star power with Morant. Would they move Tyler Herro to do it? Herro made his first All-Star game this season but has cooled considerably in the second half of the year. That’s what the Grizzlies would probably ask for.
The Heat will have two first-rounders that it can include in a trade after the draft. Herro and those picks could get Miami its next face of the franchise.
3. Pelicans
Zion Williamson’s name has also come up in trade rumors. He’s been amazing when he’s on the floor, but that simply doesn’t happen enough. What if Williamson, the 2019 no. 1 pick, was traded for Morant, taken no. 2 in that same class?
Morant has been the more available player of the two, so the Pelicans would have to add some more to this deal. They have five first-rounders that they could move after the draft. It would take several of those picks to get this deal across the finish line.
A Morant backcourt with Dejounte Murray could in theory work. Murray is a good shooter and capable defender who could play off the ball. Trey Murphy is an emerging star, and Herb Jones could give that group some defensive punch.
For the Grizzlies, they’d have to hope that a change in scenery keeps Williamson healthy. Those picks could also help bring in another star.
2. Magic
The Magic are a great defensive group. The problem is that they can’t score enough to keep themselves in games. They have two jumbo initiators in Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, but not enough playmaking from their guard positions. They still need that top 10 player to stir the drink for their team.
Morant is an underrated passer who could help make life easier for the Magic’s play finishers. He would also give them a better late-game option than they’ve had. He’s shown that he can be in that top 10 conversation when he’s fully healthy.
The Magic will have four unprotected first-rounders that they can include in a trade after the draft. They could move talented defender Jalen Suggs, who could give the Grizzlies the kind of guard that they hoped Marcus Smart would be. They would also have to include several of those picks and some other salary filler.
1. Rockets
The Rockets are the second-best team in the West, but nobody is really taking them seriously as a playoff threat. They lack the go-to scoring punch at the end of games that championship teams need. Too often, their offense resorts to mediocre offensive threats trying to bail them out with a late-clock shot.
Morant would give them that much-needed weapon. He’s the best driver in the NBA not named Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He could create advantages for teammates and form a nice pick-and-roll duo with Alperen Sengun. He would also be reunited with Steven Adams, who he had a ton of success with in the past. And the Rockets have the defensive infrastructure to hide some of Morant’s issues on that end of the floor.
Houston has a ton of young prospects that they could include in a deal, along with five first-round picks after the draft. Fred VanVleet, two of those picks, and a young player like Reed Sheppard could get a deal done in exchange for Morant and some salary filler.
This is the place that makes the most sense for Morant. It’s a team that’s a potential championship contender who is in need of a more dynamic point guard. The Rockets could also give the Grizzlies back a win-now player in VanVleet, satisfying the needs of both teams.
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