Ja Morant remains one of the most talked about trade candidates in the NBA, notwithstanding the drama on and off the court and the Grizzlies’ poor 2025–26 season.
Morant, 26, remains alluring as a franchise-building or supporting star and a dynamic guard. Jake Weinbach, a veteran NBA analyst, believes the Minnesota Timberwolves are one of the teams that will be intrigued.
The two-time All-Star may be sent to Minnesota, where he would join Anthony Edwards in a high-octane backcourt, thanks to a possible framework.
In an X post, Weinbach stated that a trade package for Ja Morant would likely include Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo’s expiring contract, and modest draft compensation if the Timberwolves were to seek one. “A third team could also join the framework if the Grizzlies are unwilling to absorb the remaining two years of Randle’s contract ($33. 3M, $35. 8M PO).
In a sad turn of events, Minnesota’s season came to an end with a loss in the second round. For Edwards, the franchise faces obvious issues in terms of overall development and at the point guard position. Given that Morant has the characteristics of a high-upside addition, he appears to be a good fit. Memphis also seems prepared to go forward.
Anthony Edwards May Receive Star Backcourt Support
In the playoffs, the Timberwolves were unlucky with injuries. In Game 4 of the opening round against the Denver Nuggets, beginning guard Donte DiVincenzo suffered an Achilles tendon injury. The typical timeline for Achilles rehabilitation is ten to twelve months, during which time he won’t be accessible.
Edwards, a franchise foundation, continued to have recurring injury issues from the regular season. Although the Timberwolves performed well in the first round against the Nuggets, they were unable to defeat the San Antonio Spurs in the second round.
Minnesota placed its faith in its defense, and it performed well against Denver. But the series demonstrated that they lacked a secondary scoring and creation option to Edwards, leading one to believe that they placed too much faith in their defensive production.
If Edwards wants to cross the finish line, they must prioritize finding a genuine co-star. They may have their man in Morant.
“The Wolves have previously expressed interest in pairing Morant with Anthony Edwards in the backcourt,” Weinbach stated.
DiVincenzo has been a consistent member of this team, in contrast to Morant. Prior to his injury, he played and started every game of the 82-game regular season as well as the playoffs. Although Morant might not be able to provide Minnesota with 82 games, he adds another 20-point average player to the squad.
Former All-Star in a New Environment?
Morant played just 20 games this season. He played 50 games last year and nine the year prior, which is obviously a very short amount of time to make an impact on the Grizzlies.
Although there have been glimpses of brilliance and some postseason appearances, the highs do not outweigh the lows, and the seven-year marriage has not been particularly successful. The problems with availability are just one factor contributing to the strain between the coaching staff and off-court concerns.
Right now, it seems that a division is the best course of action for both sides. Morant may thrive in a new atmosphere, which would likely help him reach his full potential. However, Memphis will want to be sure that they receive something in exchange that is worthwhile.
Because of his injury history, Morant’s trade value is diminished despite the fact that he is currently in the fourth year of his five-year max-level deal. Minnesota would be happy to make a deal for the suggested return.
