Could another NBA All-Star be part of the next mind-blowing trade?

The Dallas Mavericks shocked the world when they agreed to send Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in return for Anthony Davis and Max Christie. 

Doncic is a top-five player in the NBA and a superstar of the future. However, Dallas had some concerns over his off-court approach and felt justified in the decision to move on. 

Yet, by parting with Doncic, the Mavericks may have created a chain reaction. We don't know how many other teams are unhappy with their top star but were too afraid to explore trades to reshape their roster. Doncic could become the first domino in a flurry of star-level deals over the next 12 months. 

According to an anonymous executive who spoke with Howard Beck of The Ringer, Ja Morant could be the next star to be moved. Beck's reporting came via a recent episode of "The Ringer NBA Show." 

"I'm constantly checking in with executives around trade deadline about like, okay, what we saw, what we didn't see, what's next, and in this league, you are always, always, always on the lookout for who's the next wave of stars that are going to get dealt, right?" Beck said. "And somebody out of the blue said, keep an eye on Ja [Morant] this summer...Not to overplay stuff from a year and a half, two years ago, but at a certain point, teams will pivot...I'm just kind of keeping an eye on if they were to flame out early."

Morant has endured a torrid few years. He's dealt with injuries and off-court issues, which have also led to suspensions. When he's on the court, there's no doubting his star quality. However, above-the-rim talents rarely have longevity in the NBA, as they put too much wear and tear onto their bodies. 

The Memphis Grizzlies have two high-level talents, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, who can be a factor for the next decade. However, Morant is unlikely to be the leading star for that duration; too many variables could derail his time at the top. 

Memphis shouldn't rush to trade its star guard, but it shouldn't be opposed to testing the market to see what opportunities exist. Doncic's trade has recalibrated the NBA, and front offices will likely feel empowered to make tough decisions to secure a longer developmental or contention window. 

If a Morant swap can bring in a player who better fits with Jackson and Bane, Memphis will likely explore how to get that deal over the line. 

The 2024-25 trade deadline may have been wild, but that could be a precursor to the fireworks being lined up for the summer.