After Trae Young was traded, it was expected that the NBA trade market would start to heat up. This didn't take long to happen, as just two days after Young was traded, it was reported that the Memphis Grizzlies are open to trading Ja Morant for the first time.
Just in: For the first time, the Memphis Grizzlies are entertaining offers to potentially move two-time All-Star Ja Morant ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/SD0RT9Jhuj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 9, 2026
Honestly, this doesn't come as much of a surprise, given Morant's negative comments about the coaching staff earlier this season and his lack of availability. Furthermore, the writing has been on the wall for a Grizzlies rebuild after they traded Desmond Bane. After seeing
When Morant rumors first started, the Minnesota Timberwolves were linked to him, given their need for a point guard. However, all signs point to this not being a realistic possibility.
Earlier this week, Jake Fischer reported that the Wolves aren't interested in chasing any high-priced guards. Given Minnesota's lack of depth and high payroll, this makes a lot of sense, especially since Morant (and other available guards) have clear risks. While I'm sure the Wolves will be brought up as a trade suitor, I don't think this is a realistic possibility given Fischer's reporting.
The Timberwolves won't trade for Ja Morant, and that's for the best
In addition to Minnesota not being interested in Morant, Memphis is prioritizing picks and young players for Ja, which isn't something the Wolves could match. Given that Ja makes $7 million less than Trae, a trade is easier, but it's still unlikely, especially given the reporting around the team.
A hypothetical Timberwolves-Morant trade would either be centered around Julius Randle or Naz Reid and Mike Conley. Randle is better than Ja, so this wouldn't make sense, and his fit next to Jaren Jackson Jr. is questionable. Reid and Conley could end up being a solid return -- but that's not something the Wolves seem willing to entertain based on Fischer's reporting.
Avoiding a Morant trade is in the Wolves' best interest. There's no denying the 26-year-old guard is talented. However, he is also showing clear signs of decline, averaging 19 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists with a 42.9 effective field goal percentage. By all accounts, this is Morant's least productive season since his rookie year. He has also only played in more than 60 games once in his career.
It's clear that Morant's injury history has taken a toll on him. The two-time All-Star is averaging a career-low 4.2 rim attempts, and this number has been declining since 2022. That's not even to mention that Morant is an awful shooter and defender. Simply put, trading for him is too risky -- even if it's at a discount price.
The Timberwolves still have a core that just made the conference finals, and there's no reason to shake up that core for a guard who is this problematic. Mid-tier-salaried guards like Collin Sexton or Dennis Schroder are attainable trade targets for the Timberwolves, and a move like that is all Minnesota needs to reach another level.