Ja Morant Continues to Be Linked to Wolves as Trade Target, Does It Make Sense?

Minnesota has a lot of potential options in the trade market this offseason, and Morant continues to be floated around.

Jan 21, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) looks on during warm ups prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

After falling short of an NBA Finals appearence again this postseason, it appears that the Timberwolves will be in the middle of trade rumors all offseason. Giannis Antetokounmpo will be the player everyone mentions, but Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant is a player who continues to be mentioned as a potential target for Minnesota. Does it make any sense?

NBA analyst & writer Jake Weinbach posted on X on Sunday that if Minnesota pursues a deal for Morant this offseason, it would likely include Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo and draft compensation. It's harder to decipher rumors from reports now more than ever, but it certainly started some dialogue.

If the Timberwolves pursue a deal for Ja Morant, a trade package would likely include Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo’s expiring contract, and small draft compensation.

A third team could also enter the framework if the Grizzlies are unwilling to absorb the remaining two years…

— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) May 17, 2026

Morant will turn 27 years old before next season, which puts him on a similar timeline to Anthony Edwards, who will be 25, but Morant's career has been trending in the wrong direction. He averaged 27.4 points per game in 2021-22, and that number has decreased every season since.

Multiple off-court incidents involving guns and injuries have caused Morant to miss a lot of time over the last few seasons. A shoulder injury limited him to just nine games in the 2023-24 season, and he played 50 games during the 2024-25 season. He played in 20 games this season, and he averaged 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists per contest. His season was cut short due to a UCL sprain in his left elbow.

Mar 21, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant stands on the court following the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images | Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images

Morant has just two seasons left on his five-year, $197 million contract, which will carry a $42.1 million cap hit next season, and a $44.8 million cap hit in 2027-28. Nobody doubts his talent as a basketball player, but it's also impossible to ignore his injury history and off-court baggage.

He becomes an interesting trade target because his value could be at an all-time low. The Randle experiment took on some hard evidence this postseason, and DiVincenzo will be recovering from a torn Achilles. If that's all it took to acquire Morant, it would be silly for Minnesota not to at least entertain a conversation, and Weinbach's proposed deal would work. They could throw in this year's second-round pick, or even the No. 28 overall pick in the first round.

Rumored Ja Morant-Timberwolves trade. | Photo via: fanspo.com

If Minnesota does have a conversation with Memphis, Morant's fit next to Edwards becomes interesting. He has shown a willingness to be a pass-first point guard with more than 7.3 assists per game in all seven of his NBA seasons except one, but he has always been the No. 1 option. Is he comfortable accepting the No. 2 role?

If the deal makes sense, the Timberwolves should entertain it, but a trade for Morant might be among their riskiest options this offseason, as they look to catch up to the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference.