The New Orleans Pelicans are reportedly kicking the tires on a potential trade for Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant - a move that would be as bold as it is complicated.
Let’s start with where the Pelicans are right now: 10-34, no first-round pick in sight, and a roster that’s struggling to find its identity. This is a team in flux, one that’s clearly searching for a spark. So when a player like Morant becomes available - immensely talented but carrying significant baggage - it’s not hard to see why New Orleans might be intrigued.
According to NBA insider Michael Scotto, the Pelicans have been among the teams engaged in early trade talks for Morant. They’re not alone either.
The Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, and Toronto Raptors have also been linked to the Grizzlies guard. While Morant reportedly favors Miami as a destination, his leverage is limited - he’s in the third year of a rookie max extension that runs through the 2028-29 season, averaging about $42 million annually.
That’s a hefty price tag, especially for a player who’s been more absent than available lately. Since the start of the 2023-24 campaign, Morant has suited up for just 77 games.
Injuries have played a role, but so have off-court issues and questions about his maturity and leadership. It’s fair to say the Grizzlies’ patience has worn thin - and Morant seems ready for a fresh start himself.
So why would New Orleans consider taking on this kind of risk?
Because, frankly, they don’t have much to lose.
This is a franchise without a clear path forward. The young core of Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears offers promise, but they’re not overnight solutions.
The team’s future is murky, and the present isn’t doing much to inspire confidence. Attendance has been inconsistent despite a passionate local fan base, and the Pelicans need something - or someone - to reignite interest.
Morant, for all his flaws, is still capable of electrifying performances. He’s already logged games of 35 and 40 points this season and has tallied 10 or more assists in six of his 18 appearances.
When he’s locked in, he’s one of the most dynamic guards in the league. The question is whether he can - or will - buy in.
That’s where things get tricky. Under interim head coach James Borrego, the Pelicans have at least shown signs of effort and cohesion. Morant would need to match that energy and commit to being part of the solution, not another layer to the problem.
The good news for New Orleans? The price tag might not be outrageous.
Given Morant’s current situation, the Grizzlies likely won’t be demanding a king’s ransom. A package centered around a player like Jordan Poole and a protected first-round pick could be enough to get the conversation going.
This isn’t just a trade idea - it’s a potential pivot point for the Pelicans. Bringing in Morant would be a gamble, no doubt. But for a team with limited options and a desperate need for a jolt, it might just be the kind of high-risk, high-reward swing that could change their trajectory.
The Pelicans are in uncharted waters. Morant, for all his turbulence, could be the storm that clears the skies - or the one that sinks the ship. Either way, it’s a move that would make New Orleans impossible to ignore.