The Washington Wizards may find themselves benefiting from a situation that didn’t have anything to do with them.
BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and one first-round pick swap, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/UcQnmHbgZb
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2025
It’s open season right now in the NBA. Trades are getting done. The NBA Draft is quickly approaching. The free agency period will begin soon as well. With that being the case, even more rumors will be floating around, too. The first major trade of the offseason has taken place with the Memphis Grizzlies trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic. After such a blockbuster trade, it makes one wonder what will happen next. The Washington Wizards may be able to land superstar guard Ja Morant.
Brian Windhorst on the Grizzlies trading Desmond Bane:
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) June 15, 2025
"The next question is: What about Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.?"
via @ESPNNBA pic.twitter.com/k6lPQEjLrg
After trading a key player like Bane, the Grizzlies appear to be approaching a rebuilding situation. Moving such a key player to their team certainly gives the notion that they will be looking to rebuild. The return of a veteran such as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a role player as Cole Anthony, along with several draft picks, feels like the Grizzlies are waving the flag. If so, that makes Morant available, too.
Things haven’t particularly worked out for Morant in Memphis. A change would be good for both him and the Grizzlies. He would fit in well with the Wizards, who are looking to turn things around next season. He wouldn’t have a lot of pressure on him as the Wizards are deep. Additionally, expectations aren’t high in Washington either. With the NBA Draft looming, this is the perfect time for the Wizards to try to acquire Morant. The two picks the Wizards own, along with a matched salary, may be enough to land Ja Morant.
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