The Grizzlies are dealing with a limited market as they consider their options in a potential Ja Morant trade, writes Zach Harper of The Athletic. Harper speculates that the offers Memphis receives might be similar to the meager return Atlanta got for Trae Young, even though Morant is only 26 and is a two-time All-Star.
Harper starts by pointing out that 15 teams are already set at point guard, which eliminates half the league. Among the rest, Boston, Minnesota, Milwaukee and Orlando don’t have enough trade assets or financial flexibility to be realistic contenders for Morant, and Harper doesn’t believe Atlanta will be in the market for another point guard after parting with Young. Toronto is probably out because the Grizzlies wouldn’t want Immanuel Quickley‘s long-term contract, and Sacramento likely wouldn’t part with the draft assets necessary to get Memphis’ interest.
Harper whittles his list down to the Nets, Bulls, Heat and Mavericks as the most likely contenders for Morant, but none of them appear to be a perfect fit. Chicago needs to find a star, but Josh Giddey is already entrenched as the team’s lead ball-handler. Dallas could use a younger point guard than Kyrie Irving if the plan is to rebuild around Cooper Flagg, but Morant’s injury history might make the Mavs reluctant to pull the trigger on a deal. Brooklyn is in the early stages of rebuilding, and Morant might not be happy to wind up there.
Harper suggests that Morant’s best option is to finish the season strong and rebuild his trade value for a potential deal this summer. However, he speculates that the Grizzlies may already have a deal in hand that they can live with and they’re just seeing if they can do better before the deadline arrives.
There’s more from Memphis:
- The Morant trade rumors are starting to raise questions about whether Jaren Jackson Jr. is on board with a complete rebuilding project, Tim MacMahon states on the latest edition of The Hoop Collective podcast (hat tip to Real GM). Memphis is hanging on to the final play-in spot at 17-22 after sending Desmond Bane to Orlando last summer. “Their actions are telling you that they’re determined to rebuild the Grizzlies, I would say, around Jaren Jackson Jr.,” Bontemps said. “There’s a lot of discussion around the league wondering if that is mutual, I would say.”
- Christian Koloko‘s second 10-day contract has expired, per Keith Smith of Spotrac (Twitter link) so the Grizzlies would need to sign him to a standard deal to keep him for the rest of the season. Koloko appeared in 11 games over that span, making two starts and averaging 2.6 points and 4.0 rebounds in 17.7 minutes per night.
- Rookie Cedric Coward is already emerging as a reliable clutch-time option, observes Chris Dodson of ClutchPoints. “(Coward) is a first-year player coming out of college, but is picking his spots,” coach Tuomas Iisalo said. “Overall, I would talk about our very good offense for stretches. He was a part of those, making quick decisions off the catch. Ball movement was great; he was finding open players. Those are the things we’ve got to build on and also look to use in crunch time.”