The Milwaukee Bucks are reportedly exploring a trade for superstar point guard Ja Morant, with the hope of saving a season that is quickly slipping away with a very disappointing 17-24 record (11th in the Eastern Conference). With HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reporting that the Grizzlies covet Ryan Rollins in trade talks for Morant, the Bucks must decide if he's worth parting with to get the guard.
Analyzing a potential Morant-to-Milwaukee deal requires balancing his high-ceiling talent with the reality of a Bucks roster depleted of assets and struggling to find an identity.
A proposed trade would include Ryan Rollins (the Most Improved Player candidate currently averaging 16.2 points and 5.2 assists), Kyle Kuzma, and Bobby Portis (which would provide Memphis with high-level veteran depth to help stabilize their frontcourt), and Milwaukee's 2031 first-round pick (as the ultimate sweetener for a Memphis team looking to retool).
For years, the Memphis Grizzlies have operated under the high-flying, trash-talking identity centered around the electrifying point guard Ja Morant.
As the 2026 tNBA Trade Deadline fast approaches, the unthinkable is becoming more and more of a reality. With the Milwaukee Bucks emerging as a desperate suitor for the 26-year-old point guard superstar, their best offer might do more than just change Morant's team jersey; it may finally bring the Grizzlies' sky-high expectations crashing back to earth.
Bucks going all-in on Morant would shake things up mightily
It appears as though the Milwaukee Bucks are prepared to push all their chips into the center to pair Morant with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The rumored package is a buy-low special designed to fix the Bucks' sinking season, while giving Memphis a clean slate. To match Morant's $39.4 million salary, Milwaukee would likely have to gut its remaining depth.
While Morant's talent is undeniable, his tenure in Memphis appears to be coming to an end. He has faced a lot of off-court scrutiny due to his past history, has had a recent history of injuries, specifically a calf contusion, and is shooting a career-low 40.1 percent this season. If the Grizzlies were to accept such a trade offer, this would signal a fundamental shift in Memphis' DNA.
Morant is one of the few players in the NBA who can single-handedly sell out an arena and intimidate an opposing defense. Trading him for Ryan Rollins, who is a rising star, but by no means a gravity-altering force, removes the "It Factor" that made Memphis a title threat. Without Morant, the Grizzlies transform and become a gritty, balanced, but ultimately predictable mid-tier team.
By Moving Morant, Memphis is effectively handing the keys to Jaren Jackson Jr. The Bucks' offer provides depth (Kumza and Portis), but it lacks the blue-chip prospect or high lottery pick typically required to replace a generational talent.
If such a trade comes to fruition, the Grizzlies would be betting that the stability of Rollins and the veterans can outweigh the volatile brilliance of Morant. History suggests that in the NBA, when you trade a dollar for four quarters, you rarely come out on top.
Keep in mind the Giannis factor for the Bucks. The most significant impact on the 2026 odds isn't just Morant's play, but the retention of Giannis Antetokounmpo. With the consummation of this trade, the short-term odds for the Bucks might improve with such a talent upgrade and their commitment to winning now. If the fit is poor and doesn't work out, it could be the final straw that leads to a Giannis trade request in the 2026 offseason.
A Ja Morant trade would certainly be a "hail mary" for the Milwaukee Bucks. It would likely improve their 2026 second-half of the season by providing a spark, but at the same time it could significantly lower their floor due to a lack of shooting and depth, which makes them a risky bet for a deep playoff run.
They are a very desperate team that continues to do almost anything to make Giannis happy. If the Grizzlies take the Bucks' best offer, this might be the safe move to escape the drama and injury woes of the Morant era. However, in doing so, they essentially trade their ceiling for a floor. For the Bucks, trading for Morant would drastically shift their profile from a fading veteran team to a high-variance wildcard in the Eastern Conference.