The Milwaukee Bucks have been handed a golden opportunity to show Giannis Antetokounmpo how committed they are to building a winner around him. Unfortunately, with such limited resources, the inevitable has taken hold: Milwaukee's path forward runs through a polarizing player in Ja Morant.
Shams Charania of ESPN is reporting that the Grizzlies are fielding trade offers for Morant and are prioritizing draft picks and young players.
"Multiple teams are pursuing Morant in trade talks, and rival executives believe the Grizzlies would prioritize draft picks and young players in return, sources said. This is the first time the Grizzlies have engaged other teams in trades for Morant, who was the No. 2 pick in the 2019 draft."
If the Bucks believe they can meet those demands without gutting the roster, then taking a chance on the polarizing point guard could extend the Antetokounmpo era.
Bucks can ask for patience with a Ja Morant trade Giannis approves of
It's crucial to note that the Bucks can only proceed with this potential trade if it's a truly mutually beneficial exchange. There's inherent risk in trading for Morant, who has concerns that range far beyond the injury issues that have kept him sidelined.
Even if one were to remove the injuries from the equation, Morant has arguably regressed in recent years as a player—and Memphis will likely be told exactly that by interested executives.
If Milwaukee can craft a trade offer that ultimately benefits both sides, however, there's ample reason to explore this move. It would unfortunately cost the Bucks at least one player they've come to covet, but that's an unavoidable outcome in this deal.
If the Grizzlies are willing to accept an offer built around Kyle Kuzma, Bobby Portis, and a 2027 first-round draft pick, however, then it's worth exploring the potential.
The hurdle, of course, is that the Bucks will need to choose between losing additional draft compensation or a potentially vital young player. The first instinct would likely be to keep Ryan Rollins out of the trade, although there are fair concerns over whether or not he can play with Morant.
The harsh reality is: If the Bucks want to acquire Morant, they'll need to give up a coveted young piece or additional draft compensation—if not both.
Would trading for Ja Morant actually be worth it?
The pros of this potential trade are simple: With a trio of Antetokounmpo, Morant, and Myles Turner, the Bucks would be able to compete with any core in the Eastern Conference. That's an optimistic stance that assumes Morant gets back to an All-Star level, but that assumption is the foundation of this trade.
It's also safe to assume that Milwaukee would only complete this trade if Antetokounmpo committed to staying beyond the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
With the rest of the season secured, the Bucks would have a chance to enter free agency with confidence. The risk would still exist that Antetokounmpo would want out, but they would be building around a big three instead of just one solemn and solitary superstar.
Unfortunately, it's unclear if these maneuvers would truly be worth it in the end. What is clear, however, is that a trade for Morant with Antetokounmpo's approval could extend his era.