I Think Ja Morant Will Be the Biggest Steal of This NBA Offseason

The NBA offseason has officially arrived.

The New York Knicks won the championship on Saturday, and their championship parade wrapped up on the day I am writing this, and with the celebrations now behind us, teams can fully shift their focus toward what comes next.

The NBA Draft is next week, and everyone is already speculating about the blockbuster moves that could happen. Will Giannis Antetokounmpo be traded? Could Jaylen Brown be involved? Are Kawhi Leonard or LeBron James headed elsewhere? Those are the names dominating the conversation right now.

But there's another player who, for whatever reason, I believe seems to be flying completely under the radar.

Ja Morant.

And based on everything we've heard, I think there's a very real chance the team that acquires him this summer ends up pulling off the steal of the offseason.

Since 2023, his career has been overshadowed by controversy, injuries, and inconsistency. The off-court incidents involving firearms led to a long suspension to begin the 2023-24 season and became a major distraction for both Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. What had looked like one of the NBA's most promising young cores suddenly lost momentum.

Up until that season, the Grizzlies had been improving year after year, establishing themselves near the top of the Western Conference standings, and Morant was the face of that team. Instead of continuing their progress, the franchise found itself dealing with distractions that derailed what many believed could have been a championship-caliber trajectory.

Then came the injuries.

Morant has struggled to stay healthy throughout much of his career, and after only playing 79 games over the last three seasons, that's probably another reason why his trade value appears to be at an all-time low.

Despite everything that's happened, I still think Ja Morant can play at a high level.

When he's on the court, he's still one of the most explosive and athletic players in the NBA.

We've already seen him lead teams that reached the second round of the playoffs and competed near the top of the standings.

Yes, he was younger then.

But news flash, 26 years old isn't old!

If Morant lands in the right situation and no longer has to carry the burden of being the franchise player, I think there's a legitimate chance we're talking about a Ja Morant resurgence a year from now.

Imagine him transitioning into a role where he's just needed to facilitate the offense and help create opportunities for teammates.

That version of Morant could thrive.

One destination that immediately stands out for me is the Minnesota Timberwolves.

There is zero doubt in my mind that a package centered around a Julius Randle-for-Ja Morant swap raises Minnesota's ceiling in a major way.

I just find myself keeping on imagining pairing Morant with Anthony Edwards, and it would create one of the most athletic backcourts in basketball history.

The pace, explosiveness, and pressure they could put on opposing defenses would be must-see television for me.

Could they simply overwhelm teams with athleticism and talent?

Would it be weird for teams to see a backcourt in today's game that has no fear going to the rim and trying to dunk that thing on you?

I don't think that's unrealistic to say.

In fact, I think that duo could absolutely propel Minnesota back into the Western Conference Finals conversation.

The New Orleans Pelicans have also been mentioned as a potential destination.

I don't know if I necessarily love the fit, mainly because of the health concerns involved. Pairing Zion Williamson and Ja Morant would come with significant risk considering both players' injury histories.

While it would be exciting when they play together, it really doesn't do anything for me.

Another team I could see taking a swing on Morant could be the Toronto Raptors.

The Raptors really do annoy me because anytime an above-average player is in trade rumours, they love to put their interest out there and ultimately do nothing, but if for some reason this time is different and if Toronto were willing to move some of its expensive pieces (perhaps involving Immanuel Quickley) and small draft compensation, the idea of building around a core featuring Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Ja Morant is fascinating.

The Miami Heat will inevitably enter the conversation as well, especially if they miss out on bigger names like Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Could Miami revive Morant's career?

I absolutely think so.

The Heat culture narrative can be overused at times, but there is something appealing about placing a talented player in an environment where accountability and expectations are exceptionally high.

Here's another interesting possibility.

What happens if the Bucks can't find a trade involving Giannis and decide to run it back for another season?

Could Milwaukee somehow acquire Morant without sacrificing too much?

If his market really is as depressed as reports suggest, pairing Giannis with Ja Morant suddenly becomes a fascinating idea.

Ultimately, no matter where he lands, he just needs to get out of Memphis.

Morant is the perfect fresh-start candidate, and if he leaves Memphis, he won't be stepping into another situation as the face of a franchise expected to carry everything himself.

Instead, he'd (hopefully) be joining an established environment where he can focus on basketball, embrace a more complementary role, and allow his talent to shine without the same pressure.

Like I said, I do think it is entirely possible that a year from now we're looking back and talking about Ja Morant as one of the most underrated players in the league.

He'll only be 27 years old when next season begins.

Yes, the lack of games played over the past few years can be viewed as a warning sign and evidence of potential decline.

But you could also argue the opposite.

Maybe he has fresh legs.

Maybe Memphis was cautious down the stretch to preserve whatever trade value remained.

Maybe all he needs is a change of scenery.

I don't think it's crazy to suggest that by this time next year, Morant could once again be viewed as a top-20 player in the NBA.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies could be left wondering why they didn't get more in return for a player many had already written off.