West Playoff Team Top Landing Spot for Morant After Grizzlies Trade Bane to Magic

West Playoff Team Top Landing Spot for Morant After Grizzlies Trade Bane to Magic originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Memphis Grizzlies made the first splashy trade of the summer by sending shooting guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, potentially signaling the end of an era in Memphis. 

It was only four years ago that the Grizzlies won 56 games and finished second in the Western Conference standings, ultimately falling to the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the playoffs. 

Memphis made the postseason the year prior and the year after that run, as well as last season. However, the conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder ran the No. 8-seeded Grizzlies out of the playoffs in four straight games back in Round 1. 

Memphis won just 27 contests in the 2023-24 campaign, which included a lengthy suspension for Ja Morant ahead of a season-ending injury for the two-time All-Star guard.

Morant, who will turn 26 years old ahead of next season, is entering the third season of a five-year contract worth $197.2 million and was limited to just 50 games last season due to injury. 

NBA insider Kevin O'Connor suggested Sunday that the trade of Bane should perhaps be the catalyst of a total reset in Memphis, which would include a fire sale of the team's best young players.

If I’m the Grizzlies I’d consider blowing it up completely now. Trade Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson to the highest bidders. Tank in 2026 for this loaded draft class.— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 15, 2025

"If I’m the Grizzlies, I’d consider blowing it up completely now," O'Connor wrote on X. "Trade Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson to the highest bidders. Tank in 2026 for this loaded draft class."

There are a handful of teams looking to make big moves this summer, including the Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat. 

However, the most talented group looking to add a superstar offensive engine is the Houston Rockets -- the No. 2 seed in the West this postseason. 

"Houston still seems like it is a move away from being a genuine contender in the loaded West," Timothy Rapp of Bleacher Report wrote Sunday. "A deal built around Jalen Green and future draft capital could make sense for the Rockets while keeping themselves on the same timeline, given Morant's age."

The problem with Morant to Houston is that the Rockets need a star who can add shooting to several lineups thirsting for it. Morant attempts just 1.4 shots from behind the arc for his career and connects on them at a 31.6% clip. 

Kevin Durant arguably makes more sense for Houston as a considerably better shooter. He also recently named the Rockets among his favored destinations. 

Durant will turn 37 ahead of next season, which doesn't work with Houston's timeline as well as Morant. But the Rockets don't look to be in a position where they must rush an imperfect fit just for the sake of adding an offensive superstar like Morant. 

Related: Ja Morant’s Strong Reaction to Major NBA Trade on Sunday

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.