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NBA Trade Idea Sends $158M Former All-Star to Memphis Grizzlies

This NBA trade idea lands Ja Morant a new star teammate.

Joey Linn

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) is announced against the Houston Rockets before the first half at Smoothie King Center.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) is announced against the Houston Rockets before the first half at Smoothie King Center. / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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The Memphis Grizzlies did not make many NBA offseason moves. Believing in the roster they have, the Grizzlies will hope for better injury fortune this season than they had last year.

While the Grizzlies finished second in the Western Conference two-straight seasons before last year’s injury-riddled campaign, the West has gotten even more competitive since then. If the Grizzlies struggled to reenter the Western Conference playoff picture, swinging a deal for one of the NBA’s available stars could make sense.

In a recent article, Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes proposed a hypothetical deal that sends New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram to Memphis.

Grizzlies receive: Brandon Ingram

Pelicans receive: Marcus Smart, Brandon Clarke, 2025 first-round pick, 2026 second-round pick

Ja Morant and Brandon Ingram
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) is defended by New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) at the Smoothie King Center. / Chuck Cook-Imagn Images

Memphis Grizzlies on SI floated Ingram as a logical Grizzlies trade target earlier this offseason:

“The trio of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. has never had another scorer like Ingram on the wing. Averaging 21.3 points in his five seasons with the Pelicans, Ingram could help strengthen the Grizzlies' chances of contending in the Western Conference if he were to be made available by New Orleans.”

This remains the case as NBA training camps approach. Ingram has made just one All-Star team in his career, but he is a very talented offensive player who would fit well in the Grizzlies’ starting lineup. Ingram is entering the final season of his five-year, $158M contract with the Pelicans.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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