Ja Morant isn’t quite at the heart of the Memphis Grizzlies issues.
The antics that are attached to his name now are far different from ones that people focused on early in his career. His aerodynamics have been overshadowed by controversy; in, on and off the court. His character and reputation now dominate headlines more than his stat lines. No matter how he presents himself to his fans, the 25-year-old remains one of the faces of the NBA. He’s the face of his franchise.
With all of that being said, is it possible that the Grizzlies would be better off without him?
Should Grizzlies Trade Ja Morant In Offseason?
Aside from questions about his behavior, there are ready-made critiques for Morant. He’s too expensive to miss at least 20 games per season, as he has since 2021-22. He may have already peaked, his best season actually coming in 2021-22. Not only has Morant never managed to become a knockdown shooter, he’s taken the foot off the pedal on his drives.
He can’t be blamed for wanting to avoid injuries, especially with the number of games he’s missed in his career
Nevertheless, the threat of his catapulting himself over defenders wasn’t just made him fun to watch, it’s what made him feared. The explosiveness he displayed on drives was rare; many compared it to prime Derrick Rose. On the nights when his circus and jump shots fell, he was all but unstoppable as a scorer. His passing ability, from his vision and dexterity, made him utterly undeniable.
Arrested Development
Unfortunately for Morant, much like Rose, his game is too reliant on his athleticism. He doesn’t even have a go-to under-the-rim move, which helped players like Dwyane Wade be efficient scorers even with weathered knees. Of course, Morant’s ailments revolve around his shoulder and ankles. Nonetheless, the point stands.
On top of that, Morant has never been reliable at the other end.
He has an optimal level of fluidity and agility at this end to be a lockdown on-ball defender. Still, if it was that simple, all of the athletic players would be handcuffing their opponents. It should be said, the two-time All-Star has definitely flashed at that end throughout his career. Yet, he’s also been targeted by opposing teams due to a scouting report that surely emphasizes his inconsistent effort and instincts.
All of which begs the question: should Memphis consider moving the star guard in an effort to improve as a whole?
Stars Lining Up
This isn’t to say that the team would be better with Scotty Pippen Jr. as their starting point guard. He’s a fine facilitator, sneakily adept scorer, determined defender and a 3-point threat to top it off. One could even argue that he outplayed Morant in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
It’s more about attempting to land a player who’s more durable, more skilled, and a better defender than Morant. With that being said, so many All-Star-level players expected to be available for trade this offseason, there may not be a better time to explore his trade market.
Older But Better
The Phoenix Suns expected to discuss Kevin Durant in trade talks, and there might not be a better player for their current needs. The Philadelphia 76ers would more than likely pick up the phone to hear offers for Paul George. George isn’t any more durable than Morant but he’s a more dynamic scorer and an elite defender. The Milwaukee Bucks would almost certainly entertain swapping Morant for Damian Lillard, who hasn’t been the right fit for them. With that in mind, Lillard is a weaker defender than Morant but he’s definitely a sharper scorer.
Each of those players are older, perhaps even far older than Morant. Nevertheless, that’s not a reason to avoid trading for them. Indeed, with that type of leverage, the Grizzlies have a better chance of acquiring draft capital or young pieces. Sixers guard Jared McCain, an early contender for the 2025 Rookie of the Year Award, is just one of the players who could be put on the table.
In the end, Memphis obviously doesn’t have to pull the trigger on any deal. However, it’s now time to consider making big changes to their roster, perhaps even the biggest.
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