ESPN’s Tim Bontemps recently stated that he doesn’t believe the Miami Heat or Milwaukee Bucks during a appearance on the Hoops Collective podcast. These comments left the door wide open for the New Orleans Pelicans to make a move for the multiple-time All-Star.
At one point Miami was seen as the landing site for Morant. Since the Heat needed a true star and his value was perceived to be low, it made sense. For the Bucks, acquiring Morant would have been a way to convince Giannis Antetokounmpo to stay. But with these two major suitors stepping back, what’s stopping Joe Dumars and the Pelicans from trading for Morant?
A risk worth taking
If you’re a small team or a less-than-ideal free-agent destination, the best way to build your team is through the draft, and if you’re limited on draft picks, the next best option is through trades. In the case of the Pelicans, they are more of the latter than the former, as the Atlanta Hawks own the Pelicans’ 2026 first-round pick.
We just saw the Toronto Raptors take advantage of a buy-low opportunity with the Pelicans last season when trading expiring salary and a protected pick for Brandon Ingram. Look how that’s paying off for them: after being the 11th seed last season, they’re now fourth in the East.
Sure, the asking price might be a little higher for Morant than Ingram, but at the same time, they’re also different player worlds. At his peak, Morant was arguably a top ten player in the league during his second and third seasons in the league. He’s the type of guy who, when fully bought in, can help a franchise do a complete 180, something the Pelicans desperately need with a 10-35 record.
We just saw that top ten player version of Morant too during his return Sunday afternoon. He carried Memphis to a 17-point win in London over Orlando, had 24 points, five rebounds, 13 assists, hit three of his four 3s and finished the game with an effective field goal percentage of 65.4.
Sure, for a while trading Morant seemed like a big risk, but after the performance he just had in the Grizzlies game against the Magic, I’m a total believer. With two major suitors seemingly out of the running, it feels like a sign from the Basketball Gods that now is the time for the Pelicans to pull the trigger on a deal for Morant.
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