The Grizzlies' current efforts to tank should not distract from the fact that Ja Morant's future will be a major question mark this summer. Bleacher Report recently created a bunch of different trade ideas around the league for this offseason. While there are logical trade packages for Ja Morant, this one in particular would be a horrible idea for the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies ended up holding on to Ja Morant at this trade deadline despite trading Jaren Jackson Jr. two days before. The lack of concrete offers ended up being a harsh reality check on how low Morant's value has gotten at this point. Due to an extensive injury history and the lack of offensive consistency the last two seasons, Morant's value is at an all-time low.
An extension in Memphis should 100% be off the table at this point, meaning the options are to either hold onto him or trade him.
There is plenty of logic to trading Ja Morant this summer and fully embracing a rebuild. However, there is one package the Grizzlies should not consider for a second. Bleacher Report created a mock trade with the Suns that would send Ja Morant, GG Jackson II, and Cam Spencer to Phoenix in exchange for Jalen Green and Khaman Maluach.
The trade only weakens the Grizzlies further
GG Jackson II has made a significant leap in his third season and is still only 21 years old. His improvement offensively off ball and his growth in individual defense are strong indicators he can succeed in Memphis long-term. Cam Spencer, despite entering the league as an older rookie, has made a meaningful leap as a scorer and playmaker in his second season.
The Grizzlies have to keep improving the high-end talent of the roster; however, there is no logic in getting rid of two reliable rotation players that can contribute for multiple seasons. GG Jackson II has shown the signs of potentially being a great player, while Cam Spencer's shooting and playmaking off the bench would still remain valuable once the Grizzlies try to win again.
On the Suns' side of things, Maluach has very intriguing potential but is very much still a project. The Grizzlies still have multiple avenues to add a quality center, including this year's stacked 2026 NBA Draft. The best piece going back to the Grizzlies, Jalen Green, is simply not the type of player the Grizzlies should pursue.
Jalen Green is the wrong target for the Grizzlies
Green is 24 years old and still has two more seasons left on his three-year, $105 million rookie extension. One of the biggest gripes with Ja Morant is the fact he's struggled as a perimeter shooter. With this in mind, Green is a 33.9% career three-point shooter and is shooting 30.6% from three in what has been an injury-riddled season for him.
Jalen Green has also not made the playmaking leap needed to offset the offensive inconsistencies he has shown in his career so far. The Grizzlies absolutely need another quality guard, whether it is a traditional point guard or even a combo guard. However, Jalen Green is not the piece the Grizzlies should target in any potential Morant trade.
It is no secret that Morant's trade value is the worst it's been. If the Grizzlies eventually decide to move on from Morant this summer, they should not further weaken the rotation by sending off promising pieces like GG Jackson II and Cam Spencer. The return might not end up great at the end, but this trade idea could ruin the rebuild very early on.