{"id":532911,"date":"2026-01-13T01:23:17","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T01:23:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/532911\/"},"modified":"2026-01-13T01:23:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T01:23:17","slug":"nba-trade-rumors-toronto-raptors-predicted-to-pursue-197230450-memphis-grizzlies-champion-to-fill-roster-void-and-improve-title-odds-nba-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/532911\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA trade rumors: Toronto Raptors predicted to pursue $197,230,450 Memphis Grizzlies Champion to fill roster void and improve title odds | NBA News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"NBAToronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics (Image via Getty) The Toronto Raptors are being linked to a major trade as the February 5, 2026, deadline approaches. League talk suggests Toronto has shown interest in Ja Morant, with the Memphis Grizzlies open to hearing offers for the two-time All-Star.Toronto\u2019s interest is tied to performance, not hype. The Raptors sit in the middle of the playoff race but rank 20th in offense. The front office is weighing whether a high-level point guard upgrade could push the team from competitive to dangerous in the Eastern Conference, especially alongside Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram.<\/p>\n

Trade Structure Being Discussed<\/p>\n

The proposed deal would send Immanuel Quickley, Ochai Agbaji, and a 2026 lottery-protected first-round pick from Toronto Raptors to Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Ja Morant.From a financial standpoint, the trade works. Quickley\u2019s recent extension pays him about $32.5 million per season over the next three years, which aligns closely enough with Morant\u2019s $197 million contract to meet league salary rules. The first-round pick adds value in a draft class viewed as deep, while Agbaji gives Memphis a young, defense-first wing.<\/p>\n

Toronto Raptors\u2019 Reasoning<\/p>\n

\"Grizzlies'<\/p>\n

Grizzlies’ Ja Morant vs the Phoenix Suns (Image via Getty)<\/p>\n

Ja Morant would immediately become Toronto\u2019s primary ball-handler and offensive driver. His ability to create shots and pressure the rim addresses the Raptors\u2019 biggest weakness. For a team currently sitting at 23-16, the move signals a push to compete now rather than wait for internal growth.<\/p>\n

Memphis Grizzlies\u2019 Perspective<\/p>\n

Memphis gains flexibility. Moving Morant allows the Grizzlies to step away from ongoing injury concerns and off-court issues while adding multiple assets. Quickley provides steady scoring and playmaking as a potential long-term starter, Agbaji strengthens perimeter defense, and the draft pick gives the front office future options as the team reshapes its roster.<\/p>\n

Player Production Snapshot<\/p>\n

Morant\u2019s ceiling remains higher, even in a limited season, while Quickley offers consistency and availability.PlayerPPGAPGRPGFG%Season GamesJa Morant19.07.63.240.1%18Immanuel Quickley16.46.24.142.9%FullOchai Agbaji~8-10~1.5~4.0Defensive focusFullMorant, 26, averaged more than 23 points per game last season. Quickley, also 26, offers a lower ceiling but more predictable production.Also read: NBA trade rumors: Los Angeles Lakers potentially eyeing $80 million Houston Rockets star to for iconic trio with LeBron James and Luka Doncic<\/a>Toronto would be taking on risk in exchange for star-level upside, betting that Morant can stay healthy and available. Memphis would be choosing balance and future assets over elite talent. If completed, the deal would reshape both teams\u2019 paths for the rest of the season and beyond.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics (Image via Getty) The Toronto Raptors are being linked to a major trade…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":532912,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3770],"tags":[7,58949,73523,6,2828,73524,681,680,476,73522,3820],"class_list":["post-532911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-toronto-raptors","tag-basketball","tag-ja-morant-trade","tag-memphis-grizzlies-roster","tag-nba","tag-nba-trade-deadline","tag-nba-trades-analysis","tag-raptors","tag-toronto","tag-toronto-raptors","tag-toronto-raptors-trade-rumors","tag-torontoraptors"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/115885179232547123","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/532911","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=532911"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/532911\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/532912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=532911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=532911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=532911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}