Timberwolves fans can rule out a Ja Morant trade despite stunning reports

After Trae Young was traded, the NBA trade market was expected to heat up. It didn’t take long for this to happen, as just two days after Young was traded, it was reported that the Memphis Grizzlies were open to trading Ja Morant for the first time.

To be honest, this isn’t much of a surprise considering Morant’s negative comments about the coaching staff earlier this season and his lack of availability. Plus, the writing was on the wall for a Grizzlies rebuild after trading Desmond Bane. After seeing

When the Morant rumors first started circulating, 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 are not interested hunting for expensive security guards. Given Minnesota’s lack of depth and high payroll costs, this makes a lot of sense, especially since Morant (and other available guards) are obvious risks. While I’m sure the Wolves will be brought up as trade partners, I don’t think that’s a realistic possibility given Fischer’s reporting.

The Timberwolves don’t want to trade for Ja Morant, and that’s a good thing

Besides Minnesota not being interested in Morant, Memphis is prioritizing rosters and young players for Yes, something the Wolves can’t match. Considering Ja makes $7 million less than Trae, a trade is easier but still unlikely, especially given the reporting surrounding the team.

A hypothetical Timberwolves-Morant trade would center 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 doubtful. Reid and Conley could end up being a solid return, but that’s not something the Wolves seem willing to buy into based on Fischer’s reporting.

Avoiding a Morant trade is in the Wolves’ best interest. There’s no denying that 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 an effective field goal percentage of 42.9. By all accounts, this is Morant’s least productive season since his rookie year. He also played in more than 60 games just once in his career.

It’s clear that Morant’s injury history has taken its toll. The two-time All-Star is averaging 4.2 rim attempts in his career, and that number has dropped since 2022. That’s not even to mention that Morant is a terrible shooter and defender. Simply put, trading for him is too risky, even if it is at a discounted price.

The Timberwolves still have a core that just made it to the conference finals, and there’s no reason to shake up that core for a guard this problematic. Mid-range guards like Collin Sexton or Dennis Schroder are viable trade targets for the Timberwolves, and such a move is all Minnesota needs to reach a new level.