The Timberwolves’ trade proposal to the Grizzlies pairs Ja Morant with Anthony Edwards

The I MorantThe Memphis Grizzlies may not have hit rock bottom yet, but they’re certainly on the right track. On Wednesday night, the Grizzlies suffered their fourth straight loss, a 124-109 loss to the Houston Rockets. Morant, in particular, appears to be highly vetted. He endured another dismal shooting night, making just six of his 19 attempts for 17 points, and his poor play bled into the entire team as they couldn’t seem to buy a win to save their lives.

A dangerous time is approaching for the Grizzlies. It seems that Morant is not on the best of terms with head coach Tuomas Iisal, and there appears to be so much discontent on his end that Memphis may have no choice but to move on from him for the betterment of both sides.

To that end, a team such as Minnesota Timberwolves maybe be able to rush. According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, The Timberwolves are one of several teams to watch awkward Morant-Grizzlies situation.

The Timberwolves have made the conference finals two years in a row, so they must be doing something right as an organization. Monitoring Morant’s situation doesn’t mean they’re even interested in taking him into custody.

In fact, it’s unlikely the Timberwolves will even engage the Grizzlies in trade talks for Morant. Minnesota is currently above the first cap and just $3 million below the second, meaning they have to match salary perfectly (or at least send more than they take in) to even land Morant.

But if they ever decide the risk that comes with acquiring Morant is worth it, here’s the best trade package they have to swing.

The Timberwolves and Grizzlies are making a three-team trade that includes the Nets

Timberwolves receive: Ja Moranta

Grizzlies get: Julius Randle, Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, two second round picks, 2032 pick trade (protected for top 10, will convert to two second round picks if trade not used)

Nets receive: Brandon Clark, two second-round picks

This is the best deal Minnesota has to offer

As the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The Randle trade last year seemed to derail the Timberwolves at first. But they figured it out at the end of the year, with Donte DiVincenzo, another piece that Minnesota made the trade for Karl-Anthony Townsalso productive.

If nothing else, the Timberwolves would like to stand. Their cap situation makes further adjustments to their roster difficult anyway, so it’s best for them to simply use their core – especially when they’ve been so successful the last few years, being one of the last four teams standing.

The Timberwolves’ point guard situation also doesn’t need fixing. DiVincenzo was a terrific combo guard alongside Anthony Edwards; Edwards became more involved with the game and ball-handling responsibilities, which makes DiVincenzo, one of the best three-point shooters in the NBA, an ideal fit alongside him.

And then there’s Mike Conley, a veteran who just can’t stop being productive. His body needs more care than ever, which is why he comes off the bench and plays less often. But the leadership, smarts and overall good vibes he brings to the Timberwolves locker room are so invaluable.

That’s why adding Morant doesn’t make much sense for the Timberwolves. Morant could get along well with Edwardsbut the former has experience blowing up when things aren’t going his way, not to mention his off-the-court issues that have derailed the Grizzlies the past few seasons.

The Timberwolves have such a cohesive locker room, and it’s fueled their incredible last two seasons. Adding Morant, who doesn’t address a need anyway, seems a bit unnecessary — especially if it costs them Randle, who has been phenomenal to start the year for Minnesota.

Minnesota is also high on Dillingham, but they have to trade him in any Morant trade if they want to keep Naz Reed, DiVincenzo and Conley (there’s no way the Timberwolves are going to trade Edwards, Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels).

Dillingham, who is only in his second season, will be of interest to the Grizzlies as another point guard they could develop to possibly take over the mantle after Morant’s departure.

Leonard Miller is a throw-in, and the 2032 pick’s replacement is protected in the top 10, securing them in the event of a poor 2031-32 campaign.

Again, it’s worth noting that there’s no way the Timberwolves are going to do that. Morant’s stock is at an all-time low, which could be a buying opportunity, but he might not be the type of counterpart Minnesota wants to pair Edwards with anyway. They are better off saving whatever is left of their trade assets to acquire someone who fits the team better both on and off the field.

Memphis trades low for Ja Morant?

Morant was a cornerstone of the Grizzlies franchise along with Jaren Jackson Jr. in 2019. He transformed the franchise almost immediately, and in his third season he already had Memphis as the No. 2 seed in the West. But the Grizzlies have been stumbling ever since.

Morant’s gun issues and questionable off-court behavior during the 2022-23 season landed him in hot water with the NBA, he was suspended for 25 games, then he tore his labrum shortly after the following year, and then during the 2024-25 campaign, the Grizzlies fell out with former head coach Taylor Jenkins and former coach Taylor Jenkins and the first shot in Ocomla City. Thunder.

Now, it seems that General Grizzly has already broken down on Iisal, beyond repair. Memphis could always decide to dump a head coach to appease their star player, but the front office seems to have a lot of faith in Iisal if they decide to give him the job even without looking for a potentially more suitable option on the coaching market.

But at this point, is Morant even worth the headache? It would be one thing for the Grizzlies star to play his heart out. But he was also terrible on the field. He’s shooting 28.6 percent from the field over the last three games and seems to want to be somewhere else every time he’s on the hardwood.

Of course, the Grizzlies believe in Morant; they have to. He is a team highest paid player right now (he’ll take Jackson’s place in the salary department), and they’ve built a roster around him. He’s also only 26, so he should be in the prime of his career.

There’s a chance Morant is simply lurking in the sand in hopes of getting the trade he wants, whether it’s Yisal’s departure or a trade from Memphis. He could step up and make the Grizzlies regret ever bothering him.

Still, this trade package is the best the Grizzlies will get from the Timberwolves. Randle is a tough rebounder, so he could make Jackson play center and they wouldn’t be overpowered. Dillingham is a good prospect to take a chance on, while Miller is exactly the kind of long wing that Memphis specializes in honing into a valuable contributor. Terminating Clark’s contract due to his injury could also help.

Acquiring only two picks in the second round and trading a pick that might not transfer might not be nearly enough. But Morant’s trade value is in the gutter and his reputation in the mud.