Three trade destinations for Grizzlies' Ja Morant

Three years ago, it felt like Ja Morant would be a member of the Memphis Grizzlies for life. But after injuries, scandals, disappointing postseasons and a coaching change, the Grizzlies are considering trade offers for their two-time All-Star guard.

Morant is averaging 19 points, 7.6 assists and 3.2 rebounds for the 16-21 Grizzlies. He's shooting a career-low 20.8 percent from three-point range and only 40.1 percent overall while playing in 18 of his team's 35 games. Will a team bet on him returning to his All-Star form? Here are three teams that could take a chance on him.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves have an obvious need at point guard, where Mike Conley is playing limited minutes at age 38, and second-year guard Rob Dillingham hasn't been contributing the way Minnesota hoped the No. 8 overall pick from 2024 would.

Morant's lack of size is less of a factor alongside Anthony Edwards in the backcourt, and with the remainder of the Wolves' elite defense (No. 6 in the NBA in defensive rating) supporting him. He could also provide more diversity in the Wolves' three-point-heavy shot profile with more mid-range attacks. Plus, the deal could send Conley, like playing his final season, back to the Grizzlies team where he spent his first 12 NBA seasons.

Houston Rockets

Going to the Houston Rockets would reunite Morant with Steven Adams, the massive screen-setting center with whom he had enormous success in Memphis. Morant was frustrated by the Grizzlies moving away from the screen-heavy offense where he thrived, and the Rockets have a roster full of big men like Adams, Alperen Sengun, Clint Capela and Jabari Smith Jr. to open up paths to the rim for Morant.

Houston could trade the injured Fred VanVleet to get another playmaker, as point guard Amen Thompson averages just 5.3 dimes. Morant's shooting woes won't matter as much for a Rockets team that's leading the league with 16.2 offensive rebounds per game.

Miami Heat

It's hard to rule out team president Pat Riley and the Miami Heat any time a star comes on the market. Morant could be a target for the Heat, who were reluctant to give the extension-eligible Tyler Herro a new deal before the season. Miami has the NBA's third-ranked defense this season, but its offense lacks players who regularly drive to the basket, aside from sixth man Jaime Jaquez Jr.

The Heat organization is known for having strong discipline and a great organizational structure, something that could benefit the often untethered Morant. If there's an Eastern Conference team that has a Grizzlies-style "grit n' grind" work ethic, it's the Miami Heat.