The Minnesota Timberwolves are actively searching for backcourt help this offseason, and their recent trade involving Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets created space to make a big signing.
Ja Morant was briefly speculated as a potential target. However, according to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski, Minnesota has already decided to look elsewhere and will not pursue the Memphis Grizzlies star.
Minnesota Timberwolves Ruled Out of Ja Morant Pursuit
The speculation came up after Daily Memphian reporter Chris Herrington reacted to Minnesota’s recent three-team trade with the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls.
The deal saw the Timberwolves send Randle and the No. 28 overall pick to Brooklyn while moving down to No. 33 in the draft. In response, Herrington suggested the move could take Minnesota out of any potential pursuit of Morant.
“The Wolves have not been in the Ja Morant mix. Decision was made to look elsewhere for backcourt help,” Krawczynski wrote.
Timberwolves insider Krawczynski then provided a clear answer, shutting down a possible move.
Grizzlies analyst/writer, Chris Herrington, also provided his take on Randle’s trade to the Nets and how it affects Morant’s future.
“At a glance, I assume this takes the Wolves out of the Morant mix, if they were ever in it. I’ve always thought Chicago should take a shot with Morant, and only more so after adding Claxton.” Herrington wrote on X.
Morant remains one of the NBA’s biggest potential trade names after an injury-plagued stretch in Memphis. The two-time All-Star is under contract on a five-year, $197.2 million ($197,230,450) deal that he signed as an extension in 2023, per Spotrac, though Minnesota appears to have already crossed him off its list of offseason targets.
While Morant is off the table, Minnesota’s search for backcourt help is far from over.
According to Krawczynski’s report in The Athletic, the president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly, has spent much of the offseason exploring veteran additions who could help maximize Anthony Edwards’ championship window.
The players reportedly being discussed by the Timberwolves this spring include Kyrie Irving, Derrick White, Josh Giddey, and Trey Murphy III, among others. Krawczynski noted that Minnesota has been particularly aggressive in pursuing White, though the Boston Celtics have thus far resisted their interest in a trade.
Their approach currently appears to be finding the right pieces to complement Edwards. With the Western Conference continuing to run through teams such as the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, the Timberwolves are still expected to remain active throughout draft week and free agency.
As for Morant, there’s little doubt the Grizzlies star remains one of the NBA’s most explosive guards when healthy. Before injuries ended his 2025-26 season, he averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists in 20 games.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo’s blockbuster move to the Miami Heat now complete, teams that missed out on the two-time MVP may turn their attention to Morant if Memphis continues exploring trade options, even if the Timberwolves have been ruled out of that race.
