Ja Morant's name has surfaced in the Raptors trade rumor mill for a while now, but recent updates and developments have elevated this buzz to the same level as Anthony Davis and Domantas Sabonis — two players who are reportedly near the top of Toronto's radar. Like AD and Sabonis, Ja Morant is a highly polarizing trade candidate for the Raptors to consider, given his injury struggles in recent years, off-court and locker room drama, and questions about his ability to be a true leader in a winning culture.
That said, I believe the “what have you done for me lately” mindset has largely overshadowed the brilliance Morant flashes when he's at his best. People can easily forget that he was the face of the Grizzlies franchise not too long ago. While Memphis didn't quite achieve the winning success they hoped for with their young core of Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane, they seemed to be figuring out how to be a respectable playoff squad — until things quickly came crashing down.
Ja Morant's reputation has taken a hit lately, but a change of scenery could be just what he needs to revive it. Similarly, the Raptors are facing a similar challenge with their own high-cost, volatile starting guard, Immanuel Quickley. Pursuing a trade for Ja Morant could be the solution to these issues.
Raptors have a golden opportunity that can clear two hurdles in one go
IQ's 2025-26 season hasn't been the complete disaster that some in Raptors Nation have suggested, but I can share my concerns about his ability to be this team's starting point guard for the foreseeable future. The Raptors saw potential in IQ, believing he could become a valuable player based on his $32.5 million annual salary. However, since receiving that extension, he's largely just been okay in his role, with a few glimpses here and there of his ability to be an offense-centric ceiling raiser.
But “just okay” is far from the expectations Toronto had for IQ's development and trajectory with the team. The trade rumors circulating suggest that not many, if any, teams are willing to take on Quickley's questionable contract — something that only reinforces the idea that the IQ experiment has, in many ways, come back to bite Toronto.
I'm not entirely sold on the idea of AD or Sabonis in a Raptors uniform, but the thought of Ja Morant definitely tickles my fancy a lot more. Sure, Morant's price tag isn't exactly pretty either — nearly $40 million annually — but based on Toronto's rumored deadline intentions, they would undoubtedly land a star upgrade worthy of being labeled a win-now, pressure move.
As for the Grizzlies, the recent reputation Morant has built doesn't seem to do them any favors in the potential bargaining process. It seems to me that the team on the receiving end of a trade has the steering wheel in their grasp. The most logical hypothetical offer would likely include Immanuel Quickley, Ochai Agbaji, Gradey Dick, and their unprotected 2026 first-rounder. Alternatively, Toronto might be able to close the deal on Morant by eliminating one of the contract fillers and adding another draft pick to spice things up on Memphis' side.
In either situation, the Raptors face a very intriguing scenario. They could rid themselves of the 'bad' Immanuel Quickley contract while also landing the star upgrade they've been seeking. This move would not only strengthen their roster but also send a message to the rest of the league that they're not afraid to go all-in, just like they did last year with Brandon Ingram.