DHJ Quick Take: Timberwolves Surface as a Possible Ja Morant Suitor
Minnesota was floated as a possible suitor for the very available Ja Morant, though the Timberwolves’ first priority is re-signing Ayo Dosunmu.
- Who could pursue him? Minnesota has been floated as a possible suitor, joining Miami and Sacramento among the teams tied to Morant’s market.
- Where does his deal stand? Morant is owed $42.1 million next season and $44 million in 2027-28, and he holds no no-trade clause.
- Why does it matter? Memphis is widely expected to move Morant this offseason, and his market could hinge on where Giannis Antetokounmpo lands.
- What’s next? The first round of the NBA Draft is Tuesday at 7 p.m. CT on ABC/ESPN, with the second round on Wednesday, June 24.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are among the teams that could surface in trade talks for Ja Morant, with Jake Fischer of The Stein Line raising the possibility that Minnesota emerges as a suitor for the Memphis Grizzlies guard.
Fischer cautioned, though, that the Timberwolves’ immediate priority is re-signing guard Ayo Dosunmu, whom Minnesota acquired at the trade deadline.
Memphis is widely expected to move Morant this offseason, and Fischer described him as very available. The Grizzlies have signaled a willingness to reset, and Morant’s name has been attached to a growing list of speculative landing spots as the NBA Draft approaches.
Memphis Grizzlies Weigh a Reset Around Ja Morant
The Grizzlies’ openness marks a sharp turn for a franchise that built around Morant after selecting him No. 2 in the 2019 draft. Memphis has shown a willingness to make significant moves in recent offseasons, trading Desmond Bane last June ahead of the draft to recoup draft capital.
Morant, 26, is owed $42.1 million next season and $44 million in 2027-28, the final year of his contract, and he does not hold a no-trade clause. His trade value has dipped after a limited season in which he appeared in just 20 games, averaging 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 8.1 assists while shooting 41.0% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range.
The two-time All-Star and 2019-20 Rookie of the Year has reached the second round of the playoffs only once in his career.
How the Giannis Antetokounmpo Market Could Shape the Timeline
Several reports have tied Morant’s market to the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation in Milwaukee.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported that Memphis is hopeful Morant becomes a fallback option for a team that misses on Antetokounmpo, with Miami viewed as seriously interested and capable of putting together a package that could lift an otherwise soft market.
Sacramento has also been mentioned as a possible destination, though it would likely need to acquire additional draft assets to absorb Morant’s contract.
Whether Morant is moved before or after the June 23-24 draft remains unclear. For Minnesota, any pursuit would have to fit around its stated focus on retaining Dosunmu and its broader push to upgrade the perimeter around Anthony Edwards.
The Timberwolves have been described as exploratory and open-minded about reshaping their roster, but to this point there is no indication a Morant deal is close.
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