NBA teams have taken notice of Ja Morant’s unhappiness with the Memphis Grizzlies. While no one is suggesting a trade is close, a handful of teams are keeping tabs on where things go for Morant and the Grizzlies.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings are both potentially interested if the Memphis star point guard becomes available via trade.
The Timberwolves haven’t found a long-term lead ballhandler to pair with Anthony Edwards in their backcourt. Mike Conley is nearing the end of his long career, and second-year guard Rob Dillingham has a way to go before he’ll be ready to start. The challenge for Minnesota is that they are barely under the second apron, and they don’t have a lot of tradable assets in the form of draft picks or young talent.
Sacramento has regularly pursued stars when they become available. The Kings traded for Zach LaVine last season, after previously acquiring DeMar DeRozan in a sign-and-trade. Sacramento could offer back a point guard, plus matching salary in a trade offer for Morant.
The Houston Rockets are unlikely to make a bid for Morant. Houston is without starting point guard Fred VanVleet but has a rising payroll after extending Kevin Durant and others recently.