The conversations on who the Suns should look to add to this team continue, and so do these articles, as we have another rendition of Suns Trade Verdict for you all to dissect. This has been a fun series I started, and the responses to the recent articles have shown me that you enjoy them too. In recent pieces, we have looked at power forwards and guards, and today that trend continues.
The fans have asked for this player, and there has been some reporting that the Suns could be interested as well.
You also add the fact that Ja Morant was seen watching the Phoenix Suns’ Play-In game, and it may look like a connection could be there this offseason.
Now, Morant did see his former teammate, Desmond Bane, in the playoffs with Jaren Jackson Jr., so this could be him supporting his friends since Dillon Brooks was on his former team. However, it could mean more than many expect.
How could this get done?
Well, for Phoenix, they would be trading for Morant’s $87 million remaining split over the next two seasons. He made slightly above $42 million this year, so for the Suns, finding contracts to match that becomes an issue. One-for-one, they can only do this deal: Jalen Green for Ja Morant. This would require Phoenix to take back more salary.
In most articles, you can trade the salaries of Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale to get a deal done, but in this one, the Suns are taking back $4 million that they cannot acquire.
Phoenix can make this deal by adding either O’Neale or Allen with Green to shed salary, something they may consider in this scenario for their impending free agents. They could also add those players or draft capital, even to expand the deal to get something else from Memphis.
Which would make the most sense?
Two of the three options make sense for both parties. The last one does not work as the Suns are giving up too much value for Morant. That then leaves us with either the Suns selling Royce to save money or doing a one-for-one swap.
Personally, I think the deal with O’Neale illustrates the plan, but it is just too much for Morant. If they could somehow get their pick back from Memphis in a deal like this, I’d consider it, but with Memphis tanking and developing players, they will not toss that in.
Therefore, I think the only way this deal gets done as currently constructed is the one-for-one swap: Green for Morant. Even though I think it is the best deal, does it make sense for the Suns to do?
Why does it not get done?
Suns
Sadly, even with all this discussion about wanting Morant, I think the realization sets in about what he can be for Phoenix. Some believe he can be this great playmaker alongside Booker and help alleviate some of those on-ball duties. Morant can also bring the same level of shooting that Green does, shooting mid-range and using his speed and athleticism to attack the basket.
The questions, though, then arise with his three-point shooting. As we know, Phoenix values the three-point ball a bunch, and sometimes lived or died by it this season for Morant, who is a career 31% three-point shooter and is not going to cut it. Now, Green was also not a great three-point shooter, but he did have some success this season. Morant has gotten worse, shooting just 24% this year.
That, added with his injury history, like many other players in this series, also adds a factor. Morant has consistently been injured in his entire career. Just this season, he was out for most of it, playing only 20 games, and even if the Grizzlies wanted to tank, it limited his ability to come back late; it was still an issue. The Grizzlies knew this, and that is why they ended up blowing up their team halfway through; they did not have enough to compete.
Not to mention the off-court issues Morant has had throughout his career. When he was younger, we all know what happened, resulting in suspensions for the young guard. That is something added with his frustrations with two head coaches that really makes you question this move. His reluctance to work with Taylor Jenkins or Tuomas Iisalo suggests he may be difficult to coach, something the Suns might not want to put Jordan Ott through in his second year of coaching.
Grizzlies
For a team in the midst of rebuilding and finding its new identity, Green would be a perfect fit. He would not have the expectations of being on a playoff team, but one where he can grow as a player. Memphis, as well, for how well they can develop young talent, I’m sure, would love to take on this experiment and see where it goes.
Green can be a part of their new young core with Cedric Coward, Cam Spencer, Zach Edey, and whoever the Grizzlies select with their lottery selection this season. This could be a new fun core to look at for the fans after just blowing up their season in the middle of it.
Green’s athleticism would add a layer to this offense that they lacked all year without Morant. Personally, Memphis is one of the best teams for Green to reach his true potential, in my opinion, but I think they want this deal more than Phoenix.
Final Thoughts
Even for someone who believes in second chances for players and not giving up on them early, I think for the Suns, this is the player not to do so. When you look at it, you are adding on money, taking a risk on someone who could cause some waves in the locker room when the chemistry is already good. You also take a risk on his availability. This leaves too many questions with too much baggage for the Suns to actually pursue.
As I stated earlier, if you can expand this deal and add the Suns getting their pick back from Memphis, I’d have to reevaluate it, but to me, the Morant fit would not make sense for the Suns.
What do you think, though? Would you do this deal if you were in the Phoenix Suns front office?
