The Hawks and Grizzlies' situations are quite different, but there are some parallels between Atlanta trading Trae Young and a possible Ja Morant trade this summer. Both were former top 5 picks and talented offensive guards that quickly got their franchises back to the playoffs. One thing is clear: the Grizzlies can follow the Hawks' example with Trae Young and still build a winner if they trade Ja Morant.
Ja Morant is obviously a beloved star in Memphis, and I had long opposed the idea of trading him up until this season. The decrease in offensive efficiency and the lack of availability were driving factors in swaying my mind. It is never easy to accept trading a fan favorite, especially one that was taken so early in the draft. But similar to the Atlanta Hawks with Trae Young, it feels like it's time to move on.
Even though their games are not exactly identical, Morant and Young are excellent playmakers but have not always had consistent shot-making. With the league continuing to fade smaller guards, Young's trade value significantly decreased as time passed, similar to Ja Morant's right now. Trae Young was traded to the Washington Wizards, and Ja Morant is almost certain to be moved this offseason.
The Hawks turned out just fine after trading Trae Young
Trae Young was a four-time All-Star and even landed on an All-NBA team back in 2022. After leading the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in the 2021 season, it felt like what could've been the beginning of a special run in Atlanta. Unfortunately, the Hawks did not win another playoff series. Fast forward to January 2026, and Trae Young is traded to the Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
Even though it was a salary dump and the Hawks were unable to get draft compensation, the Hawks have gotten real contributions, especially from CJ McCollum in this year's playoffs. The Hawks were below .500 at the time of the trade but have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA since the All-Star break. Despite trading a fan favorite in Trae Young, the Hawks won the trade deadline in a big way by getting CJ McCollum and Jonathan Kuminga.
Obviously, Jalen Johnson has made a big leap, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker was one of the most impactful free agent signings from last summer. But factor in the deadline acquisitions too, and there is a legitimate culture being built in Atlanta.
Grizzlies have what it takes for a quick rebound like Atlanta
Similar to the Hawks trading Trae Young, the Grizzlies likely won't get a strong return at all for Ja Morant. The Grizzlies cannot expect to gain any draft compensation and could even have to attach a pick. But what they can do is try to add a quality vet or two in any potential trade. The Trae Young deal at the time was seen as a light return for the Hawks, but CJ McCollum is one of the biggest reasons the Hawks just took a 2-1 lead against the Knicks in Round 1.
Regardless of how the Hawks' season ends, they are clearly building a culture and have more picks to work with this summer.
In the Grizzlies' case, they also have two first-round picks in this year's stacked class (just like Atlanta) and also pick at 32nd overall. There are already promising young pieces to keep developing, such as Cedric Coward, GG Jackson II, and Zach Edey. The Grizzlies also made a shrewd signing when they got Ty Jerome using the room exception.
By moving off of Ja Morant's remaining two years and $87 million on his deal, the Grizzlies will gain more flexibility to not just sign their picks but also add more veterans. It is unfortunate that the Grizzlies will have moved on from such a promising young core, but trading Morant is a golden opportunity to add more veterans and positional size across the board.
This is a pivotal offseason in Grizzlies history, and it makes sense why many fans still hope Ja Morant can bounce back in Memphis. The Trae Young trade is a good example for showing that the Grizzlies can rebound quicker than many expect.
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