Rival teams are preparing for the possibility that Trae Young, Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball might all be gettable ahead of February’s trade deadline.
That’s the read from ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks, who spoke with scouts and executives across the league. The feedback was … not glowing.
“I wouldn’t want any of them,” one Western Conference GM said.
“They might all have negative value,” an Eastern Conference exec added.
There’s also a belief that two of the three could end up being swapped for each other. Flawed stars who need a change of scenery tend to get paired off, the thinking goes.
Young remains the most productive of the trio, but the defensive concerns are loud. With Young on the floor, the Hawks’ defensive rating would be the worst in the league. Off the floor, they defend like a top-five team.
One scout said he’d still take Young over the other two because of his offense and lack of off-court baggage, but concerns about his popularity in the locker room persist. Young can hit free agency in 2026 if he declines his option.
Morant might be the biggest wild card. Some execs said they wouldn’t take him even on a cheaper contract, citing injuries and what one called “pain in the ass” concerns. Others believe a trade from the Grizzlies could revive him.
“Ja will be fine at his next stop,” one exec said. “But Memphis is going to have to move him.”
The Hornets’ Ball draws praise for talent and criticism for nearly everything else. Durability, defense and shot selection are major concerns. One assistant coach said Ball still plays like he’s in high school. A Western Conference exec called him “unserious.”
“He’s one of the most talented guards in the league,” another scout said. “But every report I write has the word ‘Globetrotter’ in it.”
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