With Trae Young already off the board, Ja Morant has emerged as the next star guard to headline the NBA trade market, as the Memphis Grizzlies reportedly entertain offers ahead of next month’s February 5 trade deadline, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Morant’s sudden availability is not coincidental. Similar to Young’s situation in Atlanta, Memphis has actually been worse with Morant on the floor this season, going 6–12 in games he’s played compared to 10–9 without him, highlighting both injury and fit concerns.

The 26-year-old All-Star point guard has struggled with consistency, injuries, and suspensions, contributing to a noticeable dip in production this season. He is currently averaging 19.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists while shooting 40.1 percent from the field and just 20.8 percent from three.

Once seen as untouchable, Morant appears to have reached a point where a change of scenery might be beneficial, both for his career and for Memphis, which has grown frustrated with the lack of meaningful impact he has delivered relative to expectations.

Despite his talent, Morant’s volatile trade value makes him a risky target. Teams must consider his limitations: he is not a reliable outside shooter, struggles defensively due to size, and thrives only in carefully constructed supporting casts that complement his downhill, explosive style.

Historically, Morant has shot just 31.0 percent from three over his career and ranks near the bottom among qualified players in effective field goal percentage this season. While his athleticism helps defensively, he relies on bigger guards to shoulder perimeter responsibilities.

For the Chicago Bulls, acquiring Morant presents significant challenges. The team is already loaded with guards, including Josh Giddey, who just re-signed to a four-year deal. Giddey thrives as a high-volume, basket-attacking playmaker, leaving limited opportunity for another ball-dominant guard like Morant.

Coby White, meanwhile, is capable of playing off the ball and shooting 36.7 percent from three over his career on high-volume attempts. While White’s style complements Giddey, adding Morant could create a redundancy problem with two aggressive, downhill guards occupying the same floor.

Even if Morant represents the better talent and could be obtained relatively cheaply, Chicago must weigh long-term implications. Pairing him with Giddey could either flourish or fail spectacularly, leaving the team with a difficult re-trade scenario or a misfit duo for multiple seasons.

A potential trade scenario could involve sending Coby White and Zach Collins to Memphis in exchange for Morant. White’s downhill attacking style resembles Morant’s, Collins adds frontcourt physicality and carries an expiring contract, and Memphis clears 2.5 years of Morant’s salary off the books.

While financially and logistically feasible, the Bulls would be taking on risk. Morant is far more expensive and less flexible than the outgoing pieces. His injury history and limited shooting range increase the chance that the pairing with Giddey fails to deliver at a championship level.

Before making a move, Chicago must consider the ecosystem required for Morant to succeed: spacing, supporting casts, and defensive structure. Without that environment, his elite talents may not translate, creating a scenario where the “easy” trade could become a long-term problem.

The historical precedent of Trae Young in Atlanta serves as a cautionary tale: rushing to acquire a flashy guard without proper fit or foresight can backfire, leaving teams overexposed financially while sacrificing future flexibility and development for unguaranteed results.

Despite his potential, Morant’s availability does not automatically mean he is the right fit for every contender. Chicago’s front office must carefully evaluate roster dynamics, long-term contracts, and offensive chemistry before committing to a high-stakes acquisition.

In short, the Bulls may have the chance to pull the trigger on a high-profile move, but resisting the temptation might be the smartest decision. Sometimes, the most straightforward trade is not the one that maximizes value or improves a team sustainably.

For now, Morant’s situation remains fluid, Memphis continues to explore options, and potential suitors like Chicago must balance risk, fit, and cost before making a move that could reshape their roster for years to come.