Should the Bucks, and Taylor Jenkins, Gamble on Ja Morant?

Should the Milwaukee Bucks go after the Memphis Grizzlies Ja Morant? Things haven’t gone according to plan for the Memphis Grizzlies this past season. After moving on from Jaren Jackson Jr. and dealing with internal tension, the idea of a full reset is gaining traction. That naturally puts Morant at the center of trade conversations—and Milwaukee keeps popping up as a potential landing spot.

Why Milwaukee Makes Sense

The Bucks reportedly checked in on Morant around the trade deadline, and there’s also buzz about reuniting Ja Morant with his former Memphis coach, Taylor Jenkins. That piece matters more than it seems. Jenkins helped guide Morant’s rise into stardom. Since Milwaukee brought Jenkins in, this could help create an environment where Morant feels comfortable again, something that’s been missing recently.

Why the Bucks Should Seriously Think About It

Milwaukee has reached a point where standing still isn’t really an option. If they hope to keep Giannis, they need to retool and build a contender immediately. The Bucks had a very disappointing season; a lot of it had to do with injuries, but there is a clear gap between them and the top-tier teams in the East. If Morant can stay healthy next season, he could help inject much-needed talent into the Bucks roster. Ja is a creative and dynamic scorer and still one of the fastest guards in the league. He can create constant rim pressure alongside Giannis, and he is an underrated playmaker who opens everything up for his teammates.

The Downsides Are Real

This isn’t a clean move for the Bucks. Morant is coming off a significant injury that ended his 2025–26 season early. That alone introduces major uncertainty about how quickly and how fully he can return to form. Beyond that, there are questions about consistency, locker room dynamics, and long-term fit. Milwaukee has built its identity on stability. Bringing in Morant would test that. It’s a swing that could either elevate them or create more instability.

A Possible Trade Framework

If Milwaukee were to trade for Ja, a deal might look like this:

Bucks receive: