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The Athletic’s John Hollinger feels the Brooklyn Nets could be a “dark horse” to acquire Ja Morant should the Memphis Grizzlies decide to trade him ahead of the Feb. 5 deadline.
According to Hollinger, a league source told him Michael Porter Jr. “is a lock to move by the deadline” after averaging a career-high 25.9 points per game through the first 29 contests of the season.
That could open the door for the Nets to “sell high on Porter, buy low on Morant,” Hollinger wrote.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday that the Grizzlies are “entertaining offers to potentially move” Morant ahead of the deadline.
Charania wrote that “multiple teams are pursuing Morant in trade talks and rival executives believe the Grizzlies would prioritize draft picks and young players in return.”
Although Porter might not fit as part of the return the Grizzlies are seeking, Hollinger theorized that Memphis and Brooklyn could participate in a three-way trade.
Hollinger named the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat as franchises that could theoretically be interested in joining in on a theoretical deal in order to acquire Porter.
All three teams could potentially trade a future round-pick and have players who could theoretically moved out as salary swaps, Hollinger noted.
Morant has been limited by calf issues to 18 contests this season, and when available his production has dropped to 19 points per game.
The Nets could potentially benefit from losses down the stretch as the franchise eyes better odds in the 2026 draft lottery.
Acquiring Morant during a down year, then hoping he returns to his former dominance over the final two years of his contract, could potentially be a boost for the Nets’ rebuild if the franchise ultimately tries to work out a deal with the Grizzlies.