This NBA trade idea sends Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Chicago Bulls.
A blockbuster NBA trade idea sending Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Chicago Bulls has been created.
After the Washington Wizards won the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea between the Grizzlies and Bulls:
Chicago Bulls Receive: Ja Morant and the No. 3 pick
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: Patrick Williams, Isaac Okoro, Rob Dillingham and the No. 4 pick
The Grizzlies have the third overall pick in the 2026 draft, while the Bulls have the fourth pick.
Memphis is widely expected to trade Morant this offseason.
"The Memphis Grizzlies sliding down is essentially the cost of unloading Morant," Bailey wrote. "But in this particular draft, that may not be a huge deal. Each of the top four players have the potential to be franchise cornerstones. At No. 4, at least the decision on which one to take has already been made for you.
"For the Bulls, Morant really doesn't make any sense for the team's short- or long-term prospects, but he's worth a shot for three players who also don't figure to be part of the future. And if he plays well enough to rehab his trade value a bit, Chicago could possibly move him in a subsequent deal and get even more back."
In 20 games for Memphis this 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 beyond the arc and 89.7% from the free-throw line.
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.
Morant has career averages of 22.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game.
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 suspending 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.
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