What If The Golden State Warriors Traded For Ja Morant?
Ja Morant has been the subject of constant news attention over the last 72 hours, as the Memphis Grizzlies star was seen on video allegedly holding a gun.
The superstar point guard was suspended eight games during the regular season for a similar incident.
On Tuesday evening, NBA commissioner Adam Silver spoke about Morant with Malik Andrews on ESPN, and the 23-year-old also released a statement (via ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski).
Morant via Wojnarowski: “I know I’ve disappointed a lot of people who have supported me. This is a journey and I recognize there is more work to do. My words may not mean much right now, but I take full accountability for my actions. I’m committed to continuing to work on myself.”
The Grizzlies have already suspended Morant "from all team activities," and Wojnarowski reported (earlier in the week on ESPN's Get Up) that he could be facing "a significant suspension" from the league.
I believe the Grizzlies should look into trading him.
They are a young team, and Morant could likely return significant assets in a deal.
What About The Golden State Warriors?
While they would seem like a long shot if Morant ever did become available, the Warriors actually have the pieces to make a solid framework for a deal.
Morant has a five-year, $194 million deal kick in next season that will pay him an estimated $33.5 million in 2023-24 (via Spotrac).
Meanwhile, Jordan Poole's four-year, $128 million extension will start at a salary of $27.5 million next season.
If the Warriors were to offer Poole and 2021 seventh-overall pick Jonathan Kuminga (who will make $6 million), the salaries would be a near-match.
Poole had his struggles in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, but he didn't miss a game the entire year and averaged 20.4 points per contest during the regular season.
Kuminga and Poole both have a lot of potential.
They also have the unique experience of being young players (Poole is 23 and Kuminga is 20) that have won an NBA Championship.
If the two were not enough to make a deal happen, the Warriors could also add in Patrick Baldwin Jr. and or Moses Moody (in addition to draft picks).
Over the last two seasons, the Grizzlies have been surprisingly good without Morant (31-15 in 46 games).
The Warriors have been known to get the best out of players, and Morant looks like he is in need of a change of scenery.
A hypothetical deal is doubtful, but the two teams should at least explore it.
