The Bucks are among the teams with interest in Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, multiple league sources tell Jim Owczarski of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (subscription required).
Morant, a two-time All-Star who has been plagued by injury and off-court woes in recent years, will miss his fifth straight game on Sunday vs. Brooklyn due to a right calf contusion, per the NBA’s official injury report.
This is the first report we’ve seen definitively linking Milwaukee to Morant, who is on the trading block.
In order to match salaries with Morant, who is earning approximately $39.5MM this season and is under contract through 2027/28, an outgoing Bucks package would likely start with Kyle Kuzma ($22.4MM). There are multiple ways to make the money work from there with additional players added.
While Morant makes some sense as a buy-low candidate for the Bucks, who are trying to get back into contention in the Eastern Conference around two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, his on-court fit seems shaky. For starters, Morant has never been a great shooter, and Milwaukee’s two best players this season outside of Antetokounmpo have been point guards Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr.
The Bucks also continue to be intrigued by Kings shooting guard Zach LaVine, Owczarski reports. Milwaukee has been connected to multiple players on Sacramento’s roster, though the two teams reportedly weren’t engaged in active trade conversations as of last week.
Bucks should fire gm, he has completely lost his senses. Trade GA to Hawks for Pels pick and Porz expiring.
Having two high lottery picks could speed up rebuild.
Try to hustle Bulls in Turner-Vuchevic trade and get there at least one first.
“Try to hustle” isn’t a strategy
“There are multiple ways to make the money work.” Bobby Portis would have to be included, for all practical purposes. Kuzma+Portis gets the money balanced for Morant with the ability to add additional parts or draft pick compensation from Milwaukee to make the trade enticing for Memphis to execute the deal.
No picks because Morant is not that good and injured often. Kuzma and Portis deals are shorter. Bucks lose depth too in the move
off court antics and injury history. Bucks should stay away from this idea
You can’t honestly believe this is true. It’s click bait. How would JA and Giannis play on the same team? They both can’t shoot and drive to the rim to get buckets. Obviously Giannis does more. But the team is going nowhere and Giannis doesn’t have a trade market without cleaning the other team out. Only team that could trade just multiple picks is San Antonio and wimby doesn’t want to play with Giannis (and I respect that). New York there going to have to give up OG. And I don’t think that makes them better than the West teams. Plus will Milwaukee take Kat?
This team loves making expensively, bad trades.
Most of them because of Giannis’ desire
Very true
Why would any team want to add a headache like Morant to their team on purpose???
Desperation
Grizzlies aren’t salary dumping Morant. Bucks don’t have the assets to trade for Morant. Memphis is not rebuilding or retooling. They simply would trade their star PG for assets. To make their team better right now. Bucks have no chance of getting Morant.
What do you mean they have no chance KnuckleheadAl? If they want him, they can get him. Not saying they should, but they could easily acquire him if they want. Grizzlies aren’t getting much back for him, there are hardly any teams interested. Grizzlies would trade him immediately if either Ryan Rollins or Bucks 2031 1st rd pick is part of deal. Again, I’m not saying they should do it but if Giannis wants them to get him it COULD happen. Also, my apologies for writing complete sentences, I know. It’s not. Your. Style.
No AL is correct. What does Milwaukee have at the grizzlies want? Nothing they have no chance nor would the fit work. Giannis and ja can’t shoot. Ja has off court and on court problems. It either seems to stay healthy. Although Giannis is so way better player its a terrible fit and Milwaukee has nothing to give up
KnuckleheadAl also claimed that the Spurs were for sure trading for Giannis in the offseason. Makes a lot of. predictions that never. Happen. He’s right. About 1%. Of the. Time
Spurs thing is not happening
You should talk to Davey J. He would love to explain it to you. Why don’t you tell us all how Bucks get him. I like a good laugh with my coffee.
It wouldn’t be a pure salary dump, it would be cutting bait on a bum that doesn’t want to be there anymore.
He’s a big asset who has plenty of game. You don’t just give him away. He has value out there. Plus the Grizz would then need a PG. Raptors and TWolves seem rightfully interested. Rumors about Heat. Jazz should be interested. Feb 5 is coming.
Atl made a bad trade because they waited to long. Trey is a decent player 20/10 just can’t be the man. Ja ( I don’t think can be your number one player just because of his on and off court antics) not really a leader but he’s very explosive and in the right system. Could work being the number two or number three guy. So they have a year and half before they’re in the same situation ATL is in.
Imo Atl has that Pels pick coming. So sees a great opportunity to get a bigger PG. there are some good ones top 5. At the same time retooling around younger talent and freeing up cap space. Still should have asked for a future pick.
Morant won’t be a salary dump imo. Memphis a small market values their assets more. Morant is a good PG scorer. He has value for right team.
This passes the smell test. The risk, hobbling the franchise for years, is on par with stretching Lillard for Turner. Kuzma, Portis, Porter and a pick for Morant, Wells and Jackson.
Not news. Bucks are pursuing everyone. It’s the trade deadline. This is what happens.
Enjoy your clicks article writer.
This at first glance makes sense for the bucks, but Kevin Porter Jr. has been playing well recently, and it would have to be him, Portis and Kuzma to go.
None of these contracts end after this season, which would make for a negative trade value imo.
So, the bucks would have to dip into their future draft picks before securing Giannis next contract. That’s a risk not worth taking, as the team won’t have any way of improving themselves around Giannis and Morant to get themselves to a contender level, due to the Lillard’s stretching.
I think the bucks have to move Giannis now, before he ages poorly as a non-shooting big man.