Ja Morant comes with a lot of risk, but his upside and athleticism make him a gamble for the Denver Nuggets to consider as a trade target this summer. They could also reload the cupboard with some draft picks they currently don't have while cashing in Jamal Murray's highest value.
Murray's name has been tossed about many times already, but he's the Nuggets' biggest trade piece, and if the Nuggets want to try to retool in the draft down the road, the Memphis Grizzlies are a team they can do that with. Plus, it would save the Nuggets $7.9 million against the cap this season, perhaps freeing up some cash to bring in a serviceable bench player.
On paper, it's a simple swap of Murray for Morant plus whatever pick package the Nuggets could pry from the Grizzlies. They've got two in the first round this year, three next year, and nine more until 2033, plus a plethora of second-round picks.
Ja Morant is a huge risk, but lots of upside
While Morant wouldn't have fixed the defensive issues Murray handed the Nuggets in their first-round playoff exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves, he would certainly have provided the athleticism and downhill attack on the rim the Nuggets lacked. The two-time All-Star isn't much of a three-point shooter, but he averaged 26.2 points and 8.1 assists in the last season he played more than 60 games.
And therein lies the huge risk with Morant. He has not been able to stay on the court for myriad reasons over the past three years, playing just 79 games. From suspensions to lower body, hip, shoulder, and elbow injuries, Morant in street clothes has been a frequent sight on the Grizzlies bench, and the Grizzlies could be tired of it and ready to make a change.
Unfortunately, that risk is huge. But Morant's transition game and his ability to cut the basket and create his own shots in a rotation that has spacing like Nikola Jokic can provide could be crazy good. If Morant can't finish, he's probably drawing defenders and can kick the ball to the open Nugget, who does shoot three pointers well for the easy three. It could still be a win-now type of trade, but with a different look.
The Nuggets could also try to pry Zach Edey
If the Nuggets can't get extra draft picks from the Grizzlies thanks to the new NBA Draft rules that could limit teams trading picks, they should turn their focus to prying Zach Edey away. Edey had his own injury issues, but at 7-foot-3, he's a big rim protector who blocked 1.9 shots in the 11 games he played this year. It's unlikely the Nuggets could get Edey, but his $6.3 million salary and paint defense would be a welcome addition.
Overall, this trade would be a huge risk for the Nuggets, and they should only consider it if they can stack the draft-pick package.
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