The Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant is likely to be on the move. A new trade proposal has him heading to Miami.
The Memphis Grizzlies are not likely to get the type of value they'd like for Ja Morant.
That's the unfortunate reality of the situation. Morant has spent too much time injured. He's spent too much time suspended. He's a small guard who doesn't shoot the three well. At this point, he is a distressed asset.
Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey is well aware. He just proposed a deal that would send Morant to the Miami Heat.
It doesn't have Memphis getting much in return.
Grizzlies receive modest return for Morant in new trade proposal
Let's look at the details.
Memphis Grizzlies receive:
- Andrew Wiggins
- Davion Mitchell
Miami Heat receive:
- Ja Morant
By now, Grizzlies fans are infuriated. This was our former franchise player. We're getting a pair of role players, and one of them is 30?
Again: Small. Non-shooter. Injury and suspension-prone. To be perfectly frank, this is not a horrible return.
It's highlighted by Mitchell. He had a career year at 27. Mitchell is averaging 9.3 points and 6.5 assists per game while shooting 39.5% downtown.
Granted, those numbers won't knock your socks off. Still, it's worth remembering that Mitchell is a stout perimeter defender as well. He's a fringe NBA starter, but he is a high-quality rotation player.
Is he enough to bolster a Morant deal?
The Grizzlies should hold out for a bit more
This isn't an unreasonable proposal, but that doesn't mean the Grizzlies shouldn't hold out for a bit more.
An unprotected first-round pick is probably not on the table. Morant is too risky for an NBA team to give up that valuable an asset. Still, a player who's actually young would be nice.
Could Miami part with Nikola Jović? If so, the deal should work for Memphis. He hasn't been tremendously impressive, but at 22, he still has room to improve. By contrast, Mitchell is likely a finished product.
That said, let's assume, for argument's sake, that this is the best deal on the table. The Grizzlies scour the market, and Wiggins and Mitchell are the best they can do. Should they take the deal? Yes.
It's time for the Grizzlies to move on from Morant. They need to usher in a new era. Finding a new franchise player who's more reliable and easier to build a team around would be wise.
They can only hope they can find a better deal than this one in the process.
Grade: B