Should the Suns consider trading Ja Morant to the Grizzlies?

As soon as the Memphis Grizzlies made it I Morant available for tradequite a few suitors appeared. One of the quiet potential destinations could be Phoenix Suns.

NBA writer Matt Moore detailed that Phoenix did “research work” for the point guard It was also a looming question about the team heading into the season.

Could the duo of Devin Booker and Jalen Green fill that role? The latter played in just two games, leaving Booker to run the show.

But head coach Jordan Ott’s offense is running the ball on all cylinders. And Booker’s assist numbers are a concern, despite his usage rate and how much of an offensive initiator he is.

However, the chance to land one of the most dynamic playmakers could be enticing for a team that far exceeds its expectations.

Why the Suns don’t need the Grizzlies’ Ja Morant

Six. Number of guards the Suns have on the active roster. Two of them (Jamaree Bouiea and Green) are both out with injury. When they return, the amount of versatility at that position is astronomical.

Landing Morant doesn’t seem feasible because they would end up at the point guard when Booker has already solidified that position. Not to mention, Morant did remaining three years on his contract and approximately $125 million.

For a team looking to avoid the luxury tax, this would put them back in the same position. Also, there’s history with Memphis’ current point guard.

He’s only played in 18 games and is averaging a career low across the board. Admittedly, they were in a difficult position due to injuries, but tension with Morant and the Grizzlies worth following.

Could the acquisition of Morant halt Phoenix’s progress in team chemistry? That question might be a stretch, but the amount of guards, along with Booker leading the scoring and Green ready to return, should make the Suns less intrigued to trade for him.

The other side of a possible Grizzlies-Suns trade for Ja Morant

There are two sides to every coin, and the arrival of Morant would fill the team’s biggest need for a playmaking guard. He averaged over seven assists every season of his career and has grown as a scorer.

Pairing Morant next to Booker would be an ideal yin and yang scenario. The latter is more methodical, gets to his spots and knows how to slow down the game.

On the contrary, Morant will speed up the game, to be a force in transitionand put pressure on the basket that no other Suns guard (except Green) can do.

Coach Jordan Ott didn’t have someone like Memphis’ point guard to pressure the defense. At the same time, it may put Booker in an even better role, as he did with Chris Paul.

However, he enjoyed being the team’s main playmaker.

The 26-year-old fits the mold of what the Suns are building. A young, scrappy, physical team that plays with the swagger that Morant has in abundance on the hardwood.

Final decision on Ja Morant trade?

In fact, the Suns probably won’t make a move for him, nor should they. Phoenix has its yin and yang combination of Green and Booker, along with key complementary pieces.

Trading for Morant would also mean they would likely have to move on from Green, in order to match salaries. It’s a risk that doesn’t seem necessary, given that Green has only played two games.

Pulling the trigger on that dynamic seems premature, and the Suns would be best served to ride out the rest of the season with a fully healthy roster and see where that takes them.