With a myriad of controversies following him around, Ja Morant’s 2025-26 season is off to a rocky start. The Memphis Grizzlies star has already been suspended this season, kickstarting multiple trade rumors.
At 4–9, the Grizzlies have been one of the NBA’s early disappointments. And while reports suggest Memphis isn’t ready to move on from its franchise centerpiece just yet, a deadline-day offer could change that calculus. Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley has already outlined one blockbuster scenario involving an Eastern Conference playoff hopeful sitting at 7–5.
A Rising Eastern Contender Could Take a Chance on Ja Morant
Despite ongoing debate about Morant’s trade value, with some analysts even labeling the Grizzlies star as untradeable, there remain a few franchises that might still bet on his elite upside. Through 11 games, he is averaging 18.9 points, 8.1 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game.
According to Buckley, the Toronto Raptors could be one of them. Fifth-year guard Immanuel Quickley has struggled to be the steady ball-handler Toronto expected when they extended him for five years and $175 million in 2024, leaving the team searching for a higher-ceiling option.
“The Raptors have shown they have what it takes to form a rock-solid roster,” Buckley wrote. “But in a league where teams hope to be anywhere but the middle, can this core ever rise above being pretty OK? Their key contributors are either in the heart of their primes or right on the cusp of them, and they’re all locked into pricey, long-term pacts.
“Toronto, then, should be ready and willing to explore all possibilities of acquiring a star. Even if that player is, like Morant, a star more by name recognition than actual production and not in a hand-in-glove fit for this roster.
“If the Raptors think a change of scenery could help Morant rediscover his elite form, they could benefit from his downhill attacking and playmaking. There might be some risk of sending out Barrett, a Toronto native, just as he could be coming into his own, but given his track record, it might be more risky to miss out on the chance to sell high here.”
Buckley’s proposed trade sends RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, and a top-five protected 2028 first-round pick to Memphis in exchange for Morant. Many will view this as a steep price for a player mired in controversy, but it’s the type of package the Grizzlies will consider, and one that could address several of Toronto’s weaknesses.
Morant would immediately provide stronger ball-handling than Quickley and significantly improve the Raptors’ ability to attack the rim, an area where they’ve struggled this season. His playmaking could also ease the burden on Scottie Barnes, who has shouldered much of the team’s offensive creation.
While the two-time All-Star’s shooting remains a concern, Toronto could offset spacing issues with the athleticism and shot creation of Morant, Barnes, and Brandon Ingram. Even with his flaws, the gamble may be justified for a Raptors team seeking a true star-level catalyst.