The Detroit Pistons have recently been connected to Jaren Jackson Jr. in trade rumors, but for that deal to materialize, the Grizzlies will first have to trade Ja Morant.
The Pistons were reported to be one of several teams inquiring about Jackson Jr. who would add another All-Defensive big to their front court and give them the stretch they’ve been looking for since last offseason when they were rumored to be after everyone from Naz Reid to Myles Turner.
JJJ is an interesting option given that he is only 26 years old, the right age to grow with the Pistons’ core and chase titles for the next several seasons, but the trade cost, as well as the price of JJJ’s extension (which kicks in next season) are both concerns.
But for the Pistons to even have a chance at JJJ, some other dominoes have to fall first, and it is looking less likely that they will.
Will the Grizzlies trade Ja Morant?
The Grizzlies are in a tough spot, as Morant has been entirely unreliable as a guy who can barely play a week’s worth of games without getting hurt or suspended.
But he’s also the face of their franchise, wants to be there and is still wildly popular among the Memphis faithful, something small-market teams have to think about and value more than teams like the Lakers, who are shiny enough to draw in new stars every season.
There is also the feeling that the Grizzlies would be selling low here, as Morant’s trade value has certainly dipped, which is why teams like Miami and Milwaukee were reportedly interested in the first place. Morant is a talent, but one that comes with red flags, so he’s only interesting if you can land him in a bargain deal.
Sam Amick of The Athletic (subscription) reported that the Morant market is “tepid” and that teams like Miami are more interested in a possible Giannis sweepstakes in the summer and don’t want to waste trade assets and cap space on Morant if that is even a possibility.
The only way the Grizzlies are even going to consider trading JJJ, who made All-Defense last season, is just entering his prime and whom they locked up to a big extension, is if they deal Morant for future assets and decide to start over.
Even if they deal Morant, Memphis could decide to make Jackson Jr. the center of their rebuild along with the young players they already have on board.
The Morant deal will be the canary in the coal mine for this trade deadline, as we may need to see him moved before any of the other trades come to fruition, especially any involving Jaren Jackson Jr.