As Ja Morant’s future with the Memphis Grizzlies hangs in the balance, one Eastern Conference team that has been connected to seemingly every available star appears to be out of the running for his services.
On Tuesday, Sportsnet’s Michael Grange shared intel from an insider who emphatically dismissed the notion that the Toronto Raptors are targeting the polarizing floor general.
Raptors Reluctant to Take Risk on Ja Morant, Opting for ‘Patient’ Team-Building Approach
Ahead of the trade deadline, Toronto has been named as a suitor for numerous stars, including Morant, Anthony Davis, and Domantas Sabonis. The franchise was also rumored to have interest in Trae Young before his blockbuster move to the Washington Wizards earlier this month.
While the Raptors have defied expectations, sitting fourth in the East (26-19), their need for shooting and frontcourt depth has been well-documented. They rank just 27th in the NBA in 3-point percentage (34.2%), 22nd in rebounds per game (42.9), and 19th in blocks per game (4.5), often struggling to match up with high-octane offenses and bigger opponents.
Naturally, the bulk of Toronto-related trade rumors revolve around upgrading at the point guard and center positions, with Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl being the weakest links in the squad’s Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram-led starting five. However, both players’ hefty contracts and Poeltl’s injury concerns have reportedly given pause to rival teams.
While Morant wouldn’t solve either of the Raptors’ biggest problems, the high-flying two-time All-Star could bring excitement and playoff experience to their backcourt. Still, according to Grange’s source, the team is reluctant to roll the dice on the 2019 No. 2 pick, even at a buy-low price tag, given his career baggage.
“Are the Raptors in the market for Morant, the talented 26-year-old Memphis Grizzlies point guard with a long track record of injuries, suspensions, and — this season, anyway — indifferent play? ‘No,’ was the succinct answer one insider put to me,” Grange wrote.
Through 19 outings this season, Morant is averaging 19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.0 3-pointers per game. However, he is posting career-low shooting percentages from the field (40.7%) and from deep (23.5%), contributing to his limited trade market.
Grange also refuted reports that Toronto general manager Bobby Webster is feeling “pressure” to make a “bold” win-now move to increase his long-term job security. Instead, the organization is reportedly embracing a “patient” approach with its young core.
“It’s not unreasonable that internal improvement will help the Raptors’ program keep progressing, and perhaps this time a year from now will be the time to take a big swing, as one source put it,” Grange added.
Thus, as Grange noted, the Raptors appear far more likely to make deadline deals to improve their roster around the fringes rather than pursue a high-risk, high-reward star like Morant.
