Why the Timberwolves Are the Most Dangerous Team in the Ja Morant Sweepstakes
The Ja Morant era in Memphis appears to be nearing its breaking point, with the Grizzlies seemingly headed toward a full-blown cultural reset.
And NBA insiders are already connecting the dots to Minnesota.
After back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances in 2024 and 2025, the Minnesota Timberwolves finished sixth in the West with a 49-33 record and stumbled out in the second round this year, losing to the San Antonio Spurs.
The elimination itself was ugly. Anthony Edwards had 24 points on 9 of 26 shooting, Julius Randle managed just three points on 1 of 8, and the Spurs, behind 32 from Stephon Castle and a quiet but efficient 19 from Victor Wembanyama, handled business 139-109.
The Timberwolves ended their season dealing with the unfortunate reality that they weren’t physically, emotionally, or fundamentally good enough to compete for a championship right now.
Minnesota’s front office knows it. The fanbase knows it. Now comes figuring out how to solve it.
On Monday, May 25, 2026, ESPN NBA insider Andre Snellings offered a bold trade proposal, shipping out Julius Randle, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Joan Beringer in exchange for Memphis’ two-time All-Star.
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After failing to find a trade that met their asking price at the deadline, the Grizzlies will go into the offseason with a clear plan to move Morant.
Morant’s ability to attack the rim, create for others, and carry an offense made him a star. But it’s not about his ability, it’s about his availability, as he’s played only 79 games over the last three seasons.
One team executive told Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix that “you just can’t count on him to be available.” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst went further, suggesting Morant has “negative value,” meaning teams wanted the Grizzlies to attach draft compensation just to take him.
Morant is under contract for two more years at $42.2 million in 2026-27 and $44.9 million in 2027-28, which makes this a high-risk, high-reward gamble for whoever pulls the trigger.
But for Minnesota, it might be a deal they’re forced into.
Minnesota’s core problem has been the absence of a true floor general. The Timberwolves have been heavily linked to Morant for months, with insiders reporting intense organizational interest in flanking Anthony Edwards with an elite, downhill playmaker.
Edwards is a superstar wing who can do everything, but he’s never had a true lead guard to take pressure off him. Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosunmu are scoring guards, not orchestrators. And now with DiVincenzo tearing his Achilles, that need is more urgent than ever.
Making matters worse, the free-agent market offers no real solution at point guard this summer. Trae Young is expected to stay in Washington, Fred VanVleet likely stays in Houston, and Collin Sexton, Coby White, Gabe Vincent, and Dosunmu are the next tier.
As a result, if Minnesota wants an elite playmaker, a trade might be the only real path, and Morant represents the highest upside available.
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This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 8:42 PM.