The Minnesota Timberwolves’ need for a point guard is one of the NBA’s most obvious trade deadline storylines. The Wolves have been searching for an answer at that spot since the summer time, especially after the development of Rob Dillingham has taken longer than expected and the declining play of Mike Conley.
Minnesota has checked in on Coby White, Tre Jones, and a litany of others to give Anthony Edwards a viable backcourt mate. There is one former All-Star that they have been mentioned in rumors for, but will the Wolves pull the trigger?
Minnesota has been mentioned as a potential Ja Morant landing spot, but they aren’t interested
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported a couple weeks ago that the Memphis Grizzlies would be open to trade offers surrounding Morant. The Wolves were mentioned as a potential suitor, as well as the Miami Heat. Since then though, it has become clear that Minnesota is not very interested in a partnership with Morant.
Morant is far from the electrifying player he was in 2022, as he has battled suspensions, and injuries over the last few seasons. His injury struggles have continued into this season, as he missed significant time due to a calf injury, and is now currently shelved due to an elbow injury.
Even when he has played, he has been a shell of himself. His 19.5 points per game are his lowest mark since his second season, his 41 percent clip from the field is a career-low by far, as is his 23.5 percent mark from three-point range.
What made Morant special was his ability to put pressure on the rim, playmake at a high-level, and provide fans with jaw-dropping acrobatics. He has not shown that in almost three seasons, and the fact that he is this injured when he is making max money for the next three years is a huge concern.
The fit with the Wolves and Morant would be awkward anyways. His presence would mean less touches for Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, Donte DiVencenzo and Naz Reid, as all three are having some of the best offensive seasons of their careers and have provided Edwards with his most well-rounded supporting cast in his career. Adding Morant would mean parting ways with one of those four at least, a price Minnesota should not be willing to pay.
The Wolves need a point guard to aid them in the playoffs, but if one thing is obvious, it’s that Morant is not the answer to their problems.