Timberwolves' dream trade target just became painfully obvious

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant essentially put himself in trade rumors after repeatedly blaming the coaching staff following a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. After the Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane, many people, including myself, thought this could mean they would eventually pivot to a rebuild. That certainly seems more likely now, after Morant's comments.

Let's be honest, Morant is somewhat problematic, whether it be his injuries, lack of maturity, or poor 3-point shooting on the court. Nevertheless, his talent is undeniable, and with a change of scenery, he could get back to his 2022 superstar form. If Morant indeed becomes available, expect several teams to be interested in his services despite his flaws.

I believe the Minnesota Timberwolves offer the ideal landing spot for Morant. The Wolves desperately need a point guard, and Morant would be the biggest upside swing. They can cover up his weaknesses as a shooter and defender. Crucially, the Wolves also have the culture to help Ja mature, and they wouldn't be counting on him to be a leader.

Morant and the Timberwolves would be a perfect pairing

The Wolves have championship aspirations, but it's clear they lack a point guard. A 38-year-old Mike Conley, a second-year Rob Dillingham, and Bones Hyland are simply not enough for a title team. Minnesota needs a guard who can create for himself, playmake, and attack the rim. Say what you will about Ja, I get it, he's flawed, but that's the exact skill set he has.

Can you imagine the upside of a Morant-Edwards backcourt? That would have to be the most athletic backcourt in league history, right? The Wolves' offense would reach another level with Morant, and he'd elevate players around him with his elite playmaking. Notably, over the past four years, Morant has ranked in the 88th percentile or higher for assist percentage.

Defense and shooting are Morant's main flaws as a player. While they haven't shown it this year, ranking in the bottom five for defensive rating, the Wolves have the defensive infrastructure to cover up for Morant's flaws. Furthermore, the Wolves certainly have the shooting to put Ja in a position to be successful; they notably ranked fifth in 3-pointers made last year.

As far as Ja's antics, stepping into a situation as the clear second option, with an old-school coach, on a team that has made back-to-back conference finals runs, should help Morant mature.

Price will be key in determining the Wolves' chance of landing Morant

It's hard to nail down the specifics for a Morant trade. Would the Wolves be willing to part ways with Julius Randle or Jaden McDaniels? I might be naive, but I don't think so. Maybe that, paired with the Wolves' lack of picks, costs them a chance at Morant.

But maybe he's available for a cheaper cost than expected. Perhaps some combination of Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo, young talent, and draft capital would be enough, given Ja's injury history. A third team getting involved is also something to watch.

Regardless, if and when Morant becomes available, the Wolves should at the very least look into trading for him. Whether they have a real chance at landing him is unclear at this stage. Ultimately, though, it's clear that a Morant-Wolves trade would create a dynamic pairing.