Dave Litman
The Minnesota Timberwolves have kept themselves in the conversation as a top-tier team in the West the past few years with two Conference Final appearances. They were a tough out again this spring. They boast one of the most explosive scorers and top players in the NBA in Anthony Edwards.
But one thing the T-Wolves are missing is a dynamic lead guard. It just so happens that one happens to be available on the trade market this summer. A distressed asset, to be sure. But Memphis Grizzlies mercurial point man Ja Morant can ball, if he stays focused and puts aside all the off-court nonsense.
Imagine a backcourt of Ant & Morant. Could it happen? Andre Snellings of ESPN is imagining it, and he’s proposed a trade that could make it work:
Minnesota Timberwolves receive:
- Ja Morant
Memphis Grizzlies receive:
- Julius Randle
- Terrence Shannon Jr.
- Joan Beringer
Why the Timberwolves would make this trade:
As Snelling notes, “The Timberwolves seem to have reached their ceiling as currently constructed and might need to make a splash.”
Minnesota reached two Western Conference Finals in 2024 and 2025, only to come up well short. They lost both series in five games, to the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder, respectively.
The T-Wolves have been getting by with makeshift point guards, forcing Donte DiVincenzo into the role this past season. The team desperately needs a true floor general and playmaker to run the offense. Ja Morant would be that.
Additionally, he’d provide another dynamic option on offense. When he has his head on straight, he can outright dominate games. His two All-Star seasons (2021-22, ’22-’23) were proof of that. He averaged 27 points per game and 7.5 assists over those two years. Opposing defenses would have major headaches trying to guard both Edwards and Morant.
Sure, Minnesota could just re-sign trade deadline addition Ayo Dosunmu to play the point, but he, too, like the now-injured DiVincenzo, is really a square peg off-guard being shoved into a round hole point-guard role. Not to mention the fact that he wouldn’t be the ‘big splash’ remodeling of the roster that the team seems to need.
Also, in his hypothetical trade scenario, Snellings outlines that, even without Randle, the Wolves “would still have a strong frontcourt with an elite defense built around Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels.”
In other words, with other teams being unable to stop the Ant & Morant backcourt, the frontcourt wouldn’t have to contribute much on offense. Likewise, Morant’s defensive deficiencies would be covered up by his teammates.
Snellings even suggests, “This could be the nucleus for a championship-level team.”
Why the Grizzlies would make this trade
Morant has worn out his welcome in Memphis. This much is obvious. The diminutive but explosive point guard has spent more time on the injured and suspension lists than on the court over the last few years.
He’s been suspended for a combined 33 games for multiple incidents involving firearms, as well as a clash with his head coach. It’s definitely time for a divorce between the Grizzlies and Morant.
In Randle, they get a legit scorer with a veteran presence, who they could even flip for more assets if they wanted. They would also receive two promising young prospects in Beringer and Shannon Jr.
But again, most importantly, the Ja Morant Era in Memphis would be over.
