The debates about who the Suns should add to this squad go on, as do these essays, with another version of Suns Trade Verdict for you to read. This has been a fun series for me to start, and the feedback to the most recent pieces has confirmed that you like them as well. In recent pieces, we highlighted power forwards and guards, and now the pattern continues.
Fans have requested this player, and there have been indications that the Suns may be interested as well.
According to @ScoopB, the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings are interested in acquiring Ja Morant.
You also note that Ja Morant was spotted watching the Phoenix Suns’ play-in game, implying that a relationship might exist this summer.
Morant did see his former teammate, Desmond Bane, in the playoffs with Jaren Jackson Jr. , thus this might be him supporting his pals because Dillon Brooks was on his former team. However, it might indicate more than many people think.
Well, Phoenix will be exchanging for Morant’s $87 million remaining share over the following two seasons. He made slightly over $42 million this year, thus the Suns will struggle to locate contracts that correspond to that amount. One-for-one, they can only make this trade: Jalen Green for Ja Morant. This would compel Phoenix to reclaim extra pay.
In most situations, the Suns may swap Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale’s earnings to complete a deal, but in this case, they are receiving $4 million in money that they cannot use.
Phoenix can make this agreement by including either O’Neale or Allen with Green to reduce salary, which they may do in this situation to accommodate their upcoming free agents. They could also include those players or draft equity to the deal, perhaps even expanding it to incorporate anything else from Memphis.
Which would make the most sense?
Two of the three possibilities are reasonable for both parties. The last one does not work since the Suns are giving up too much for Morant. That then leaves us with the options of the Suns selling Royce to save money or executing a one-for-one trade.
Personally, I believe the transaction with O’Neale demonstrates the blueprint, but Morant finds it excessive. I would consider it if they could somehow get their selection back from Memphis in a trade like this, but Memphis is tanking and developing players, therefore they would not give that up.
As a result, I believe the only way this agreement can be completed as now structured is through a one-for-one exchange: Green for Morant. Even if I feel it is the best deal, does it make sense for the Suns to pursue it?
Why doesn’t it get done?
Suns
Unfortunately, despite all of the talk about wanting Morant, I believe people are beginning to understand what he might contribute to Phoenix. Some think he can be this excellent facilitator alongside Booker, relieving some of his on-ball responsibilities. Morant can also provide the same level of shooting as Green, shooting mid-range and using his speed and agility to penetrate the basket.
The questions, nevertheless, emerge from his three-point performance. As we know, Phoenix appreciates the three-point shot, and Morant, a career 31% three-point shooter, has lived and died by it this season, which will not cut it. Now, Green was not a fantastic three-point shooter, but he did have some success this season. Morant has deteriorated, shooting only 24% this season.
That, along with his injury history, is another issue for many players in this series. Morant has been frequently hurt throughout his career. He was out for the majority of this season, only appearing in 20 games, and even if the Grizzlies intended to tank, it restricted his ability to return late; it was still an issue. The Grizzlies were aware of this, thus they opted to demolish their squad midway through the season; they did not have the resources to compete.
Not to mention the off-court challenges Morant has encountered throughout his career. We all know what happened when he was younger, which led in suspensions for the young guard. That, combined with his dissatisfaction with two head coaches, makes you question this decision. His aversion to collaborate with Taylor Jenkins or Tuomas Iisalo indicates that he may be tough to coach, which the Suns may not want to put Jordan Ott through in his second year of coaching.
6 Green would be an excellent choice for a club that is undergoing restoration and defining its new identity. He would not expect to be on a playoff team, but rather one in which he can improve as a player. Memphis, I’m certain, would like to participate in this experiment and see where it leads, given their proven track record of nurturing young players.
Green might be a component of their new young nucleus, which includes Cedric Coward, Cam Spencer, Zach Edey, and whoever the Grizzlies choose in the lottery this season. This may be a new exciting centerpiece for fans to focus on after destroying their season midway through.
Green’s athleticism would provide this attack with a component that it lacked all year without Morant. Personally, I believe Memphis is one of the finest teams for Green to achieve his full potential, but I believe they desire this deal more than Phoenix.
Final Thoughts
Even for someone who believes in giving players a second chance and not giving up on them early, I feel the Suns should not do so with this player. When you examine it, you’re adding on money, taking a chance on someone who may generate problems in the locker room when the chemistry is already strong. You also risk his availability. This raises too many problems with too much baggage for the Suns to seriously consider.
As I previously stated, if you can extend this agreement and give the Suns their selection back from Memphis, I would have to reconsider it, but the Morant fit does not make sense for the Suns.
What do you think, though? Would you make this deal if you were in the Phoenix Suns front office?
