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D'Angelo Russell Traded to Grizzlies
Washington Wizards guard D'Angelo Russell is being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies along with a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The move is part of a larger six-team deal involving the Wizards, Mavericks, Clippers, Pistons, Bucks, and Grizzlies. Russell averaged 10.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists last season, but he was away from Washington late in the year. His fantasy outlook in Memphis is unsettled. Ja Morant's departure opens up usage, but Russell will still have to compete with Scotty Pippen Jr., Ty Jerome, and Walter Clayton Jr. for backcourt minutes. He needs to win a steady role in training camp before fantasy managers can count on him for assists and threes.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Ja Morant Dealt to Portland, Ending Lengthy Trade Speculation
Point guard Ja Morant's time in Memphis has come to an end, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The guard has been traded to Portland for forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. It's a small return for the 26-year-old former All-NBA selection, but it ends months of trade speculation, including ESPN's Brian Windhorst calling him "flagrantly available" in trade discussions. Morant fell out of favor in Memphis after multiple off-the-court concerns and availability issues. He has suited up for 79 games total over the last three seasons. Still, there is plenty of upside, as the former second-overall pick averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists on 28.5 minutes per game during his limited appearances last season. Morant joins a crowded Portland backcourt, which could signal that one of the holdovers from last season (Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe) could soon be on the move.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Pelicans Emerge as Potential Front-Runner to Trade for Ja Morant
The New Orleans Pelicans have emerged as a potential front-runner to trade for point guard Ja Morant, with the Minnesota Timberwolves also interested, The Athletic's Sam Amick said on FanDuel TV's Run It Back. Minnesota would likely have to move a significant salary to make a deal work, leaving New Orleans as the cleaner potential landing spot for the two-time All-Star, who is owed about $87 million over the next two seasons. Morant's market cooled after a 20-game, injury-marred campaign, but the Pelicans would be betting that a change of scenery revives him next to Zion Williamson. The fantasy fallout would hit the New Orleans backcourt: starting guard Dejounte Murray could be moved in a deal, while Jeremiah Fears would see his path to lead-guard reps narrow behind Morant. Morant's upside is real, but so is the availability risk that travels with him.
Source: Sam Amick
Source: Sam Amick
Ja Morant Looms as a Plan B in the Post-Giannis Market
Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant's trade market has quieted, but Memphis is hopeful he becomes a Plan B for whichever team misses on Giannis Antetokounmpo, The Athletic's Sam Amick reports. The Heat reportedly have serious interest and could reset an otherwise soft market, while Sacramento has been willing to take Morant only with extra draft assets attached. The two-time All-Star is owed $87 million over the next two seasons, and his value has slipped after a 20-game campaign that produced 19.5 points and 8.1 assists on just 41.0 percent shooting, including 23.5 percent from three. Availability, not talent, is the question, as he has played only 79 games total since the start of the 2023-24 season. A fresh start with a contender could steady his role, but Morant remains a high-variance fantasy bet whose elite assist and scoring upside come with a shaky floor.
Source: Sam Amick
Source: Sam Amick
Phoenix Shows No Interest in Grizzlies' Ja Morant
Ja Morant's trade market lost a rumored landing spot, as the Phoenix Suns have no interest in pursuing the Memphis Grizzlies guard this offseason, ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel reports. Sources cited Phoenix's reluctance to make a drastic roster change and to absorb the $87 million left on Morant's deal. The Suns instead keep their backcourt of Devin Booker and Jalen Green, the latter looking to bounce back after injuries limited him to 32 games. Morant (elbow) remains widely expected to be moved after missing Memphis's final 40 games with a sprained left UCL and feuding with the organization. For fantasy purposes, his value is hard to pin down: a healthy Morant is a top-tier source of points and assists, but the looming trade, the injury, and an unsettled role leave his 2026-27 outlook among the league's biggest question marks.
Source: Brett Siegel
Source: Brett Siegel
