The Sacramento Kings are running out of explanations. At 8-27 and sitting 14th in the East, they’re not just underperforming, they’re flirting with another lost season in a franchise that knows that feeling far too well. What makes this collapse harder to stomach is the talent on the roster.
Domantas Sabonis is still producing at an All-NBA level. DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, and even Russell Westbrook bring name recognition and experience. Yet none of it has translated to wins, identity, or momentum. The standings don’t lie, and neither does the eye test: this team is broken.
Since trading De’Aaron Fox last season, Sacramento has lacked something far more valuable than depth or versatility; it has lacked a true franchise engine. Blowing it all up again would feel like a familiar but exhausting script, and ownership may not have the appetite for another full reset.
Instead, the Kings might need to do something bolder: swing for a new face of the franchise. Enter Ja Morant. The man who is making news once again for beefing with his own coaching staff in what seems to be a long-standing issue.
Yes, he’s polarizing, controversial, and currently wearing the “NBA villain” label, but he’s also exactly the kind of risk that could change everything in Sacramento. Let’s dive into why a trade for Ja isn’t the worst to get done for both teams.
Proposed Trade Details
Sacramento Kings Receive: Ja Morant
Memphis Grizzlies Receive: DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, 2029 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick
Sacramento Kings Start Creating A New Core
Pairing Ja Morant with Domantas Sabonis would immediately reset Sacramento’s identity the same way the Sabonis-De’Aaron Fox duo once did, only with a different edge. Morant, still just 26 years old, is averaging 19.0 points and 7.6 assists per game, and his athleticism would perfectly complement Sabonis’ interior play.
Sabonis, at 29, continues to post double-double production (17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists), thriving as a hub who punishes defenses that overcommit to the ball-handler. Morant’s ability to collapse defenses would unlock Sabonis in ways few guards can.
Zach LaVine also fits more cleanly than many realize. Averaging 20.22 points per game on solid efficiency (48.7% FG, 38.5% 3-PT FG), LaVine would operate as a lethal off-ball scorer attacking rotating defenses. That’s a role he’s historically been at his best in. Malik Monk remains a high-octane sixth-man type (11.4 PPG), while Russell Westbrook, nearing the end of his career, becomes a short-term piece rather than a long-term one.
Morant (26), Sabonis (29), and LaVine (30) give Sacramento a three-year window to compete before difficult decisions must be made. Even LaVine’s contract doesn’t lock them in permanently because he’s a valuable asset. For the first time since trading Fox, the Kings would be building forward.
Memphis Grizzlies Move Their Troubled Star For Pieces
Ja Morant remains one of the league’s most dynamic guards, but the off-court noise has begun bleeding into on-court tension. Public confrontations, visible frustration with coaching decisions, and emotional volatility have overshadowed his production. Even with solid averages, the Grizzlies have struggled to establish consistency.
Moving Morant allows Memphis to reset the locker room without fully detonating the roster. Acquiring Keon Ellis gives them a young, defensive-minded guard who can realistically start long-term, especially alongside Desmond Bane.
Ellis’ ability to guard point-of-attack and space the floor fits Memphis’ defensive identity far better than Morant’s high-usage style. Adding two draft picks restores the flexibility the franchise has slowly lost.
The inclusion of expiring contracts like DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk is equally important. DeRozan still provides reliable scoring (around 21 points per game), but his deal coming off the books keeps Memphis financially clean. Monk offers instant offense and trade deadline optionality. Not the worst rebuild for a disgruntled star.
A Fair Trade Or Too Much For Ja Morant?
The question ultimately comes down to risk. On pure talent alone, Ja Morant is worth it. A 26-year-old former All-NBA guard with elite athleticism, playoff experience, and upside rarely becomes available. If Sacramento believes environment, not ability, is the problem, then paying a premium makes sense.
But the concerns are real. Morant’s availability, decision-making, and leadership have all come under scrutiny. Sacramento would be betting not just on his basketball skills, but on their structure for change. That’s a heavy responsibility for a franchise still searching for its footing.
Still, stars don’t come cheap and safe. For Sacramento, this trade represents ambition instead of fear. For Memphis, it’s all about stopping the noise that stops them from moving forward.
