Grizzlies predicted to swap All-Stars with Kings in Ja Morant trade idea

Matthew Wadleigh

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Grizzlies predicted to swap All-Stars with Kings in Ja Morant trade idea image

The Memphis Grizzlies are in the NBA Playoffs, although their time in the postseason looks to be short. When the offseason comes, there will be a lot of questions in Memphis, especially with head coach Taylor Jenkins getting let go right before the playoffs. 

Will the Grizzlies make a trade to pair a star with Ja Morant and increase the chances of capitalizing on the star guard? Or will they move on from Morant and rebuild? That, and plenty more, will be worth monitoring all summer long. 

One polarizing trade option is Sacramento Kings big man Domantas Sabonis, who could be out of Sacramento after the Kings' rough 2024-25 season. 

And, the Grizzlies were one team linked to Sabonis in a trade intel piece by Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley. 

If you commissioned a basketball laboratory to build the perfect frontcourt partner for Sabonis, they'd fashion someone bearing a striking resemblance to Jaren Jackson Jr. On offense, Jackson's three-point threat would open the floor for Sabonis to punish players in the post. On defense, Jackson's shot-blocking and versatility would help cover Sabonis' most glaring weaknesses.

Would that make this a better idea for Sabonis than it is for Memphis? Maybe, but it feels like the Grizzlies could use more consistent scoring support for Ja Morant. Or perhaps for Desmond Bane, should Memphis and Sacramento wind up ironing out a big blockbuster exchange built around Sabonis and Morant.

Steadiness may not dominate headlines or spark viral wildfires, but it's something the Grizzlies could seek out to stabilize their on-again, off-again attack. And Sabonis is just about as reliable as they come. Over the past three seasons, he has averaged between 19.1 and 19.4 points and 6.0 and 8.2 assists.

It's an interesting idea, and Buckley mentioned Desmond Bane and Zach Edey in a potential package that the Kings could be interested in. 

On the flip side, Buckley also said the deal could send Morant to Sacramento, pairing Sabonis with Bane and Edey in a new-look Big 3 for Memphis. 

"Given Morant's availability concerns, in particular, there's a universe in which Memphis feels comfortable swapping him out to build a Bane-Jackson-Sabonis Big Three, provided the Kings send back sufficient sweeteners."

At this rate, it would be surprising to see the Grizzlies deal Morant away, and it's more likely that they bring in another star to try and improve the roster. 

Does Sabonis make sense? It's an intriguing fit for a few reasons, but the steady presence he brings could be of good value for Memphis. 

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Matthew Wadleigh

Matthew Wadleigh is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He was born and raised in Southern California and grew up a San Diego sports fan (yes, it’s tough, except for Aztecs hoops). Matthew went to Fresno State as a journalism major and got to see Davante Adams, Derek Carr, Paul George and Aaron Judge in person. Matthew has written for publications including ClutchPoints, Sportscasting, Fansided, Trojans Wire, UCLA Wire and Buffaloes Wire.