Timberwolves Acquire: Ja Morant
Grizzlies Acquire: Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo
Alternate versions of this deal exist where the Wolves give up more usable pieces in place of DiVincenzo, with Joan Beringer and Terrence Shannon Jr. heading to Memphis.
That package feels like an overpay for a couple of reasons.
The Wolves are the first team we’ve included with actual stakes. This is a winning organization looking to improve itself after failing to make a third straight Western Conference Finals. Taking on Morant is scary enough for a squad that should be pretty risk-averse because it has a lot to lose, and sending out multiple rotation pieces (some with real upside) just seems too dangerous.
Here, Minnesota coughs up Randle, who again couldn’t succeed as a secondary playmaker next to Anthony Edwards in the playoffs, and DiVincenzo, who’ll miss all of next season on an expiring salary. It’s possible this isn’t the best offer Memphis receives, but it’s the best one Minnesota should be willing to make.
In theory, Morant could do what Randle couldn’t. His playmaking and ability to bend defenses with downhill attacks or pick-and-rolls could add new dimensions to the Wolves’ offense and ease the pressure on Edwards. It’s not ideal that Morant’s poor shooting at the guard spot is probably more damaging than Randle’s inconsistency at forward, but this trade would also slot Naz Reid into a starting role, and he can stripe it from deep.
Squint, and you can see Morant as part of a significantly improved Wolves attack.
