NBA Trade Grades: Wizards dumping Markieff Morris to Pelicans

SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 26: Markieff Morris #5 of the Washington Wizards looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on October 26, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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In a move not many could have predicted, the New Orleans Pelicans acquired Markieff Morris from the Washington Wizards for Wesley Johnson. Here are the latest NBA Trade Grades.

The Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans have had two of the more chaotic seasons among NBA teams this year. They got off to disappointing starts and have so far failed to rebound, while the future looks bleak for both as well.

After keeping Anthony Davis around past the 2019 NBA Trade Deadline, the Pelicans will likely soon have to say goodbye to their franchise superstar. Washington, on the other hand, recently learned All-Star point guard John Wall will be out at least a year after slipping in his home and tearing his left Achilles tendon.

So when The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported a trade Wednesday night sending Markieff Morris and a second round pick to New Orleans and Wesley Johnson to the nation’s capital, figuring out the ramifications of such a low-drama deal was important to understanding it.

The Wizards seemingly made this deal for financial reasons, while the Pelicans likely just wanted to take a flyer on a potential impact player.

Both sides probably won’t see a huge investment in their acquisitions, but as NBA media, it’s our job to dissect and analyze the entirety of the deal which, as is sports tradition, includes handing out NBA Trade Grades for both squads.