The Raptors could be looking to make a big splash at the trade deadline. They have been connected to multiple big names on the trade market: Anthony Davis, Domantas Sabonis, and even Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Though, one name has popped up more often: Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.
In recent weeks, new reports have emerged suggesting that Toronto is leaning toward a more patient approach as the trade deadline approaches. However, that doesn’t guarantee the unpredictable nature of the NBA, where things can flip in an instant. If the Raptors genuinely believe they’re in a position to compete now, a star trade of that caliber could be just what they need to get there — in their minds, at least.
I have not been shy about my disdain for the Raptors chasing any of these stars, but a potential Ja Morant trade might just be the worst choice the Raptors could make.
A background on Ja Morant
The other big names on the market have their pros and cons. However, those names all come with high potential upside. The same cannot be said of Ja Morant. In 2023, Morant was 23 years old, a two-time NBA All-Star, and looked like one of the future faces of the league.
To some people, Morant still carries that reputation. However, Morant’s game has always relied extremely heavily on athleticism. He is a career 31.0 percent three-point shooter. To score the ball, he has always needed to be fast enough to get into the paint and explosive enough to score over bigger defenders. That style of play was extremely fun to watch in the 2022 and 2023 seasons, but in 2026, Morant is a very different player.
Since making his first All-Star team in 2022, Morant has never played more than 61 games in a season. He has dealt with many injuries, most likely due to his aggressive style of play, as well as multiple suspensions due to off-court issues. Both of these issues are deeply concerning, but for different reasons.
A troublesome injury history
The history of extremely athletic guards who cannot shoot is problematic. Gilbert Arenas, John Wall, and Derrick Rose are all former NBA All-Star guards who fall into this category.
They were all multiple-time All-Stars before the age of 25, just like Morant. After missing significant time (Wall and Rose due to injuries, Arenas due to a lengthy suspension), all of them appeared to have lost some of their athleticism upon returning. None of them returned to All-Star form after their extended absences, and we are seeing that trend in Morant's career as well.
Morant has not played in seven consecutive games since the 2023 season. He is constantly dealing with nagging injuries, and this has affected his game. He does not have the same speed to get around defenders that he once did.
In 2022, Morant took 62 percent of his shots from inside 10 feet of the rim. In 2023, that number dropped to 58.4 percent. Last year, it fell further to 54.2 percent, and this season it has continued to decline to a career low of 49.0 percent. Put simply, Morant just cannot score as effectively as he once could.
A potential hit to team chemistry
Aside from any on-court performance decline, Morant is a player who could potentially be problematic inside a locker room. As previously mentioned, he has been suspended multiple times in his career for off-court issues. Beyond the suspensions, there have been well-documented off-court incidents involving those close to him, public frustration voiced through the media, and reported locker room tension surrounding Morant at various points in his career.
Toronto has spent years building a culture and a team-first attitude. Their fans have come to love the players on the roster and the heart those players play with. There has to be a better alternative than trading for a player who could jeopardize that culture and fan trust, especially when that player may not even be able to produce consistently on the court.
The Raptors should entertain other options.