The Sacramento Kings' attempts to trade Domantas Sabonis before the deadline are in jeopardy because the Raptors need them to take Jakob Poeltl. Well, it might be the Grizzlies who save the day. Memphis is so desperate to move Ja Morant, they may be willing to take on Poeltl's insane contract.
Basically since Dillon Brooks left Memphis, the Grizzlies short era of relevance during Ja Morant's tenure has been circling the drain. The Grizz trading former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah was essentially the final nail in that coffin. All that's left is to trade Ja.
That's not as easy as it sounds. After years of discipline problems, suspensions, and seemingly endless injury issues, Morant's value on the trade market has dropped dramatically. Marc Stein at The Stein Line has said that the Grizzlies asking price has already decreased several times.
Apparently, that includes a willingness to take on a player with a bad, long-term contract just to get Ja out of Memphis. The second Stein reported that, the ears of every front office member in both Sacramento and Toronto probably perked up as they looked to get in touch with the Grizzlies.
Memphis could make the Sabonis trade happen
The Raptors and the Kings have been dancing around a trade involving Domantas Sabonis for weeks. What's keeping it from happening is Toronto's insistence that Sacramento takes Jakob Poeltl and his ridiculous contract that was extended through 2030. The Kings definitely don't want that.
According to Stein, there is potential for this to become a three-team trade. The Grizzlies would be the ones to take on Poeltl while ridding themselves of Ja Morant and likely collecting draft picks from the Kings and/or the Raptors. Then, the rest of the deal falls into place, and everyone moves on.
A big question is where Morant ends up. He's already been quite clear that he has no interest in playing for the Kings, and the feeling is mutual. In this scenario, Ja will likely land in Toronto. Even if the Raptors are stuck with Morant, it'll only be for a couple of seasons. His contract is up in 2028.
Who knows? Maybe the move to Toronto will help put Morant on the right track and get his head back in the game. He'll be playing alongside Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, and Domantas Sabonis, which might just put some pep in the beleaguered point guard's step.