T-Wolves Pursue Ja Morant Trade: How Close Are NBA Talks?
The Minnesota Timberwolves are currently exploring a potential trade for Ja Morant, the star guard from the Memphis Grizzlies. This information comes from Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, who recently shared insights on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
T-Wolves Pursue Ja Morant Trade: Current Status
Krawczynski indicated that while the Timberwolves have checked in regarding Morant, concrete discussions are not imminent. He emphasized the ongoing nature of these negotiations as the NBA season progresses.
Current Timberwolves Point Guard Situation
The Timberwolves are deploying a point guard rotation that features:
- Donte DiVincenzo
- Mike Conley
- Rob Dillingham
This arrangement has raised concerns for a team aiming for playoff contention, particularly as DiVincenzo is not a natural facilitator.
Aging Players and Assist Leaders
Mike Conley, at 38, and Rob Dillingham, only 20, represent the extremes in age. This dynamic is reflected in the team’s assist distribution, where power forward Julius Randle leads with 6.1 assists per game. The situation highlights the Timberwolves’ immediate need for a more effective backcourt.
Ja Morant’s Current Performance
While Ja Morant’s scoring average is down to 19.2 points with a field-goal percentage of 35.8, he still maintains a healthy 7.9 assists per game, aligning with his career average. Despite his recent struggles, Morant would significantly enhance Minnesota’s backcourt.
Challenges in Acquiring Morant
Acquiring Morant presents numerous challenges for the Timberwolves:
- Morant’s status as the Grizzlies’ franchise player complicates trade discussions.
- Memphis may prefer to wait for Morant to regain his peak performance.
- The Timberwolves have limited trade assets and draft picks available.
- Rudy Gobert’s high salary (approximately $35 million) does not align with Memphis’s needs.
Should Morant become available, Timberwolves president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, would need to employ innovative strategies to structure a potential deal. It may involve collaborating with a third or even a fourth team to facilitate the trade.
Despite the allure of acquiring Ja Morant, the prospect remains uncertain. As developments unfold throughout the season, Timberwolves fans will be watching closely for any signs of progress.
