Stein’s Latest: Morant, Ellis, Marshall, Antetokounmpo, Bulls

The Grizzlies are still very open to trade offers on Ja Morant, who is slated to miss at least three weeks with an elbow sprain, Marc Stein writes in his latest column for The Stein Line (subscriber link).

However, those hoping to buy low on the often-injured star point guard may have to recalibrate, as Stein reports that there is internal pressure facing the team to bring back more than the favorable contracts that the Hawks got in return for Trae Young.

Stein also speculates that, should Morant stay on the team past the trade deadline, there could be some level of friction between Morant and the Grizzlies’ GM Zach Kleiman. This is not only because the team made it so publicly clear that Morant was available, but also because of the lack of forthcoming extension, as well as Kleiman backing coach Tuomas Iisola when the point guard and coach butted heads earlier in the season.

Morant has played just 20 games this season and is averaging a career-low 28.5 minutes per game, though he has matched his career high as a facilitator, dishing out 8.1 assists per game.

We have more from Stein’s latest newsletter:

• Keon Ellis has emerged as perhaps the most likely player to be traded at the deadline, Stein writes. Ellis has struggled to keep a consistent spot in the Kings‘ rotation, but nevertheless, reports indicate there are a handful of teams targeting the defensive-minded guard, which has led Sacramento to set an asking price of a first-round pick for him. According to Stein, some believe that the Kings trading Ellis is almost certain to happen.
• Stein confirms previous reports that the Mavericks highly value Naji Marshall as a part of their post-Luka Doncic core, but that doesn’t mean that he’s untouchable. Stein writes that the starting point on any trade offer for the versatile wing must start with a first-round pick, as far as Dallas is concerned. He adds that Max Christie is another valued member of the core moving forward, and the team is more concerned with securing him a spot in the three-point contest than finding a deal to move him.
• The Giannis Antetokounmpo trade landscape continues to be murky, especially following the announcement that he is likely to miss extended time due to a calf injury. Stein writes that multiple teams are still engaging with the Bucks in trade talks in the hopes of landing him at the trade deadline, injury notwithstanding.
• The Bulls are strongly expected to make a move involving one of their guards, Stein writes, with Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu the two most likely names to be on the move. He confirms Jake Fischer’s previous report that Nikola Vucevic could very well play out the season with the Bulls and depart in free agency.