ESPN proposed a hypothetical trade that would see Ja Morant move from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Royce O’Neale, Grayson Allen, and other players.
Ja Morant remains a popular target of NBA trade speculation. ESPN is proposing a hypothetical trade that would send the Memphis Grizzlies guard to the Phoenix Suns.
ESPN writer Ben Golliver suggested that Phoenix trade forwards Royce O’Neale, Grayson Allen, and Haywood Highsmith, guard Jamaree Bouyea, and second-round picks in 2029 and 2032 to Memphis in exchange for the two-time All-Star.
Memphis, according to Golliver, cannot start the next chapter without finding a trade partner for Morant, whose market worth he believes has been damaged by injuries and off-court incidents. Morant has two years and $87 million left on his contract.
The 2019-20 NBA Rookie of the Year appeared in 20 games last season, scoring 19. 5 points and dishing out 8. 1 assists. He shot a career-low 23. 7% from 3-point range and committed 3. 6 turnovers per game.
He had highlight moments. Morant’s sole appearance against the Suns this season came on Oct. 29 in Phoenix, when he hit a game-winning shot with 7. 6 seconds remaining to give Memphis a 114-113 road win. He concluded with 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists in 32 minutes.
Morant would be Phoenix’s primary point guard, according to Golliver. Devin Booker would spend more time off-ball, and Jalen Green would play more within the flow.
The Suns have stated that they plan to keep the majority of their present roster. Phoenix went 45-37 and was knocked out in the first round of the 2026 playoffs by defending NBA champion Oklahoma City as the eighth seed.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks discussed the pay ramifications. Because the Suns would acquire more remuneration than they provided, Phoenix would be tightly capped at the first apron. Marks believes the limit would force the club to part with free agents Collin Gillespie, Mark Williams, and Jordan Goodwin. Gillespie and Goodwin are both unrestricted, but Williams is restricted.
According to Marks, the trade will enable the Grizzlies to save roughly $25 million in salary in 2027-28 and increase their future second-round draft pick total to eight.
Both O’Neale and Allen are currently in their third season in Phoenix. Allen averaged a career-high 16. 5 points but only appeared in 51 games owing to injury. From 2019 to 2021, he played his first two NBA seasons with the Grizzlies.
O’Neale averaged a career-high 9. 8 points and made 40. 8% of his 3-point attempts, the greatest percentage in the league. Bouyea averaged 5. 7 points per game in 46 appearances. Highsmith averaged 5. 4 points in 7 games after joining Phoenix at the trade deadline.
The proposal is theoretical. Phoenix has not stated its intention to sign Morant, and Memphis has not stated its intention to trade him.
