Raptors Make Ja Morant Trade Decision

Morant’s scoring ability and playmaking have made him an attractive name in the trade market, with his explosiveness viewed as a potential fit alongside the Raptors’ rising core. Memphis has also reportedly been open to trade offers for Morant, with multiple teams showing interest in the 26-year-old, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

However, Toronto does not appear to be among them. Per Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, the Raptors have made their stance clear. When Grange asked if the Raptors are in the market for Morant, the response from one insider was direct: “No.”

That stance reflects the Raptors’ confidence in their current core and organizational direction. Toronto has dealt with its share of injuries this season, most notably Barrett, and Morant’s own history of missed games and injury interruptions this season may have been a factor in the decision to stand pat. A trade for a player like Morant would also mean giving up one or more key pieces and perhaps some future draft picks.

It remains to be seen whether Toronto will make moves before the deadline to build on its current success, but for now it appears the focus is on sustaining its push in the East with its current core. The Raptors next face the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET, the second of five games on their current Western Conference road trip.