Minnesota Timberwolves Considered Trade Landing Spot for Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been considered a trade landing spot for Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant by Evan Porter of Twolvesinsider.

The Timberwolves have reached the Western Conference Finals twice in the Anthony Edwards era. Many NBA insiders believe Minnesota needs an elite point guard alongside Edwards to reach the promised land.

In 20 games for Memphis this regular season, Morant averaged 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists per contest while shooting 41.0% from the field, 23.5% from 3 and 89.7% from the free-throw line. That's the type of production Edwards needs next to him in the backcourt to win in the rugged Western Conference playoffs. 

The 2019-20 Rookie of the Year, Morant has led the Grizzlies to the second round of the playoffs just once. That was back in 2022 with Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane. Morant needs to be the No. 2 on a playoff team, not the No. 1. 

Morant has career averages of 22.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. He no longer fits Memphis' timeline since the franchise is rebuilding after trading Bane to the Orlando Magic last offseason and Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz at this year's trade deadline. 

According to ESPN, Morant has told people that he's done playing for the Grizzlies, who selected the guard with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Murray State. A two-time All-Star, Morant still hasn't gotten over the Grizzlies' suspension of him earlier this season for conduct detrimental to the team.

"Morant still hasn't gotten over the suspension, multiple league sources said, because he felt alienated by teammates, who were told to leave the star guard alone so he could work through the issues that had led to the suspension. In the aftermath, Morant told players around the league and some of his former coaches that he isn't playing for Memphis anymore, sources said," ESPN wrote.

Since Morant doesn't have a no-trade clause, he can't control where the Grizzlies trade him. Morant will make $42.1 million next season and $44 million in the 2027-28 season, the final year of his contract.

If the Timberwolves trade for Morant, they could start Morant, Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and Rudy Gobert next season.

On paper, that's a lethal-looking starting five. 

Memphis is expected to trade Morant before the 2026 NBA Draft. Let's see where Ja is playing next season. 

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