The Grizzlies are still very open to trade offers on Ja Morant, who is expected to miss at least three weeks with an elbow sprain, Marc Stein writes in his latest column for The Stein Line (Substack 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’ head of basketball operations, Zach Kleiman. As Stein explains, in addition to making it clear that Morant was available, Kleiman backed coach Tuomas Iisalo when the point guard and coach butted heads earlier in the season. The team also didn’t offer the two-time All-Star an extension last offseason when he became eligible.
Morant has played just 20 games this season and is averaging a career-low 28.5 minutes per night, 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 reports have nevertheless indicated that 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 sources 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 Marshall is untouchable. Stein writes that the starting point on any trade offer for the versatile wing must be 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 focused on securing him a spot in the three-point contest, not 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. According to Stein, 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 players 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 this summer.
6’3 170 is PG size. Sorry to all the Ellis fans. A bit overrated too
Do you watch basketball with your eyes open?
What don’t you understand? How about playing him at PF. Wake up noob
Kings sounding like the Warriors here. We won’t play Ellis but expect a first rounder, lols. Nobody is giving away first round picks with this CBA. Ellis went undrafted and the kings think they’re getting a first. One can dream I guess.
Kings make no sense since Kings problem is defense and if he is one of your best defensive players on a cheap contract why would you trade him? Is he worth a 1st round pick? He is on a real bad team and they don’t play him so why is he worth that much?
Because he’s one of your best defensive players and multiple other teams want a perimeter defender on a cheap contract?
Kings need to rebuild and only a few teams asked for him. Kings do what they always do make bad trades.
Ellis is worth 1 second round pick, but everyone wants to set high asking price.
I guess the key difference being they can afford to keep Ellis after the deadline and not play him. He earns very little and the team is trying to lose – juxtapose the Warriors and Kuminga who they need to move in order to win games
If they can’t trade him , bulls should buy out Vuc… just gonna hurt their lottery odds
Better for the Bulls to just keep Vuc and make the playoffs even if just being a play-in team.
Why is being a play in team better for the Bulls?
Maybe this time the Bulls will survive the play in games round and advance. At times, the Bulls play well. IMO better than just tanking.
Nope. Unless it’s top five, who cares?
Is Boston asking for a first round pic for Boucher, lmao.
Chris Doucher has been completely useless for like five years.
How dare the Gm take a coaches back in 2026
Lack of extension ? He has 2.5 yrs left
They should look at the Hawks deal as a lifeline not a barometer to beat
The GMs in the 2010s did a terrible Job with these malcontents, I see them dancing to a different tune this time around for the betterment of all. Quicker we can bury these selfish cap hogs the better
Ayo & Cobi are not the problem with the Bulls. They should resign both as they play well with Giddey. The Bulls need a dynamic big to challenge in the East.
Agreed. The Bulls need an athletic interior player who can score and block shots.
If Coby white can continue to show consistency with his scoring and make improvements on his defensive game, then I agree that the bulls should try to keep him. But if not, then he should be traded for another scorer that can fit alongside Giddey and Matas. Vucevic on the other hand probably won’t get traded at all. Sure he’s playing better right now..but I don’t think anyone is looking at his game and thinking that they need him on their team. Most likely scenario, he’ll walk in free agency, and hopefully the bulls prioritize drafting a better versatile big for the future
Can Giannis be traded to a small market? What if the Kings offer something like Sabonis and 4 firsts? Would Giannis accept? Are the Bucks obliged to trade him where he wants?