An NBA trade idea sending Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Toronto Raptors has been created.
NBA writer Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea:
Toronto Raptors get: Ja Morant
Memphis Grizzlies get: Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick, a 2026 second-round pick (via LAL) and a 2028 first-round pick (top-three protected)
“The Raptors have exceeded expectations so far, but they might still be one star short of cracking the contender ranks,” Buckley wrote. “While Morant hasn’t worn that label in a while, he’s still just 26 years old and coming off a four-season stretch in which he averaged 25.7 points on 47.2 percent shooting and 7.4 assists. If the Raptors could help bring out his best—their coach, Darko Rajaković, was an assistant in Memphis during Morant’s best seasons—they could add a legitimate difference-maker for relatively cheap.
“Memphis, of course, would have to allow for this kind of dented-can discount, but maybe the Grizzlies are ready to move on. Morant has already been suspended once and appears to be less than a full-throated supporter of head coach Tuomas Iisalo’s style. Memphis wouldn’t be getting top dollar here, obviously, but Quickley is a capable starter, Dick is a recent lottery pick with an ignitable three-ball and the picks would add to the draft capital the Grizzlies started to amass in this summer’s Desmond Bane blockbuster.”
Morant has appeared in 12 games this season. He’s averaging 17.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game while shooting 35.9% from the field, 16.7% from beyond the arc and 94.2% from the free-throw line.
The two-time All-Star is currently out with a right calf strain.
A Murray State product, Morant “hates” playing for Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo, sources told DallasHoopsJournal. Morant is not a fan of Iisalo’s strategy of playing lineups in short shifts and then mass substituting, sources said. It has prevented Morant from getting his legs underneath him and developing a rhythm on the court.
Morant doesn’t have a good relationship with Iisalo, sources said. The Grizzlies fired Taylor Jenkins last season and named Iisalo the head coach.
Morant will make $39.4 million this season, $42.2 million in the 2026-27 season and $44.9 million in the 2027-28 season, which is the final year of his contract.
The 2019-20 Rookie of the Year, Morant has only led the Grizzlies to the second round of the playoffs once.
Morant, 26, has career averages of 22.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game in the NBA. He was the second overall pick in the 2019 draft.
The Raptors would have a “Big 3” of Morant, Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram if Toronto acquired Morant from Memphis.