For the wrong reasons, Ja Morant is the primary topic of discussion across the NBA right now.
And that’s nothing new, considering his infamous gun-flashing incidents in 2023 which led to two separate suspensions that caused him to miss a total of 33 games.
Morant was once again in hot water after his disgruntled postgame rant upon the Memphis Grizzlies’ 117-112 Friday loss against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Following the tough loss in which he had an awful eight-point display, Morant was asked what went wrong for the Grizzlies, and the Memphis guard told reporters to go ask the team’s coaching staff multiple times.
These viral remarks by Morant triggered the Grizzlies to suspend him for one game out of conduct detrimental to the team, and the star point guard went on to miss their 117-104 Sunday loss against the Toronto Raptors.
MORE: Grizzlies’ Ja Morant suspended following crushing loss to Lakers
Bleacher Report’s Grizzlies-Suns trade proposal around Ja Morant
After their promising back-to-back seasons in 2022 and 2023, things suddenly went downhill for both Morant and the Grizzlies.
They failed to take the next step, and last offseason’s trade departure of Desmond Bane suggests that the team might soon head towards rebuilding.
If situations won’t be solved, a trade by Memphis might ultimately be on the horizon for Morant.
As such, Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report offered key potential transactions for the Grizzlies around Morant, in which he noted the Phoenix Suns as a considerable trade partner who could send Jalen Green and a 2027 first-round pick.
“The Suns could fill the greater positional need with Morant, giving up the only first they can send (the lowest selection between the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz),” Pincus wrote. “Phoenix could profit from the Grizzlies’ drama, on the premise that the Morant situation needs to be resolved before it poisons the rest of the season.”
The Suns currently have no legit point guard, and Jalen Green shares the same position with Devin Booker at the team’s shooting guard spot.
Green, who was acquired by the Suns from the Houston Rockets last summer, might be a good piece for the Grizzlies to begin a rebuild alongside that first rounder.
Meanwhile, it would be intriguing to see how Morant can run the show in the Valley as the newest co-star for Booker and help the team return to contention.
On paper, this potential deal between the Suns and the Grizzlies looks considerable. But for now, we can only wait and see what would be the next to unfold around Morant in Memphis.
