Every NBA offseason fuels wild speculation and bold trade ideas. Imagine putting Ja Morant and Anthony Edwards on the same team. It would be the most exciting, fast and athletic backcourt in basketball history.
For fans in Minnesota, this dream trade idea changes everything. It turns the Timberwolves into a championship favorite and probably the most fun team to watch.
Why Timberwolves Must Reject Temptation of a Ja Morant Trade
ESPN senior writer André Snellings proposed a bold move earlier this week. He suggested sending Morant from Memphis to Minnesota in exchange for Julius Randle, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Joan Beringer.
Why Minnesota Desperately Needs Guard Help
The Timberwolves fell to the Spurs in the second round this postseason. They have now missed the Western Conference Finals twice in three years.
Donte DiVincenzo tore his right Achilles tendon in Game 4 against Denver, leaving a clear gap at lead guard for Minnesota. DiVincenzo had started all 82 regular-season games before that devastating injury. He will miss 10 to 12 months of action.
Meanwhile, Ayo Dosunmu and Edwards both perform better playing off the ball. Morant could fill that playmaking void immediately when available.
Anthony Edwards Needs a True Co-Star
Edwards carried a massive offensive load throughout this season. He averaged 28.8 points per game across 61 regular-season appearances. Knee pain limited him to a career-low number of games. The Spurs series exposed the Wolves’ lack of a secondary scoring option.
Finding a true co-star for Edwards should be the top priority this summer.
“Edwards and Morant, on paper, would form one of the most dynamic and explosive backcourts in the NBA.” Snellings wrote about the potential pairing. The vision is easy to picture for any basketball fan. Morant averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists across his 20 appearances.
Two explosive guards attacking on the open floor would terrorize defenses nightly. Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels would anchor the frontcourt behind them.
The Availability Problem That Changes Everything
The dream crashes into one brutal and undeniable reality. Morant played only 20 games during the 2025-26 season.
He has appeared in just 79 games over the past three seasons combined. Injuries and off-court issues have repeatedly sidelined the 26-year-old guard. Clashes with his coaching staff added further tension. His trade value dropped so far that teams asked Memphis for picks.
The Sacramento Kings reportedly asked the Grizzlies to include a first-round pick to absorb Morant’s contract. That reveals just how far his stock has fallen leaguewide.
The Cost Is Simply Too Steep
Shannon averaged 17.3 points in a brief three-game playoff sample this year. Beringer was the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. And Randle remains a productive and reliable veteran starter for Minnesota. Giving up all three for an unreliable star qualifies as a major overpay.
Marks warned the deal “would hard cap the franchise at the first apron.” He added it “could make it difficult to sign free agent Dosunmu.”
Losing Dosunmu in free agency would create yet another backcourt hole. That defeats the entire purpose of trading for Morant.
An Alternative Ja Morant Trade Framework
NBA analyst Jake Weinbach offered a different trade structure. He proposed extending Randle and DiVincenzo’s expiring contracts with minimal draft compensation.
Weinbach wrote on X that “a third team could also enter the framework” if needed. This would apply if the Grizzlies resist absorbing Randle’s contract.
If the Timberwolves pursue a deal for Ja Morant, a trade package would likely include Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo’s expiring contract, and small draft compensation.
A third team could also enter the framework if the Grizzlies are unwilling to absorb the remaining two years…
— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) May 17, 2026
That alternative approach would cost Minnesota significantly less young talent. However, it still does not solve the availability concern with Morant.
Memphis Has Rebuild Plans of Its Own
The Grizzlies hold the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. They are expected to select Duke power forward Cam Boozer with that pick.
That selection raises valid questions about Randle’s role in their frontcourt. Shannon and Beringer are better fits for the Grizzlies’ current timeline.
A split between Morant and Memphis appears likely this summer regardless.
The idea of Morant and Edwards together is thrilling on paper. The reality is far more complicated and far riskier.
Morant has exactly two years remaining on his contract, with $87 million in guaranteed salary left to be paid. His salary is divided into roughly $42.1 million for next season and $44.9 million for 2027-28.
Trading significant depth for an unreliable star could set Minnesota back years. The Timberwolves need guard help, but not at this steep price.
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