NBA Insider Floats Blockbuster Trade Sending Ja Morant to $7.5B Western Conference Powerhouse

NBA insider Yossi Gozlan proposed a blockbuster trade on Monday, sending Ja Morant to the LA Clippers. Morant's future with the Grizzlies is uncertain amid his rift with the team's coaching staff. He made explosive comments on Friday after losing to the Lakers, for which the Grizzlies suspended him for a game.

Coach Tuomas Iisalo and Ja Morant have claimed they have moved past the issue, but speculation hasn't faded. Amid everyone firing up their trade machines with Morant as the focal point, Gozlan considered the $7.5 billion worth Clippers (valuation as per Forbes) as a landing spot.

Here's the insider's explanation on listing the Clippers as a landing spot on "The Third Apron Podcast":

"Minimal downside for them (Clippers) because of their age. Like, they've really no upside on this roster going forward. ... John Collins might have, you can say, the most upside, just like given he's one of the youngest players on the team. Like, I'm not saying he's going to evolve into something more than he is.

"I'm just saying, that's how old this team is. But they do have two first-round picks to trade. ... Now, the Clippers, they're gonna have a lot of cap space flexibility over these next two years, but Ja Morant's not gonna be a free agent by then, so they would have to make a trade for him."

Gozlan believes they would have to trade at least one pick as they are sending salary fillers to Memphis and not prospects with upside.

Here's his proposed trade, sending Morant to the Clippers:

Clippers receive

• Ja Morant
• John Konchar

Grizzlies receive

• John Collins
• Bogdan Bogdanovic
• 2030 first-round pick

Gozlan's idea emerged due to the Clippers having the oldest roster in the NBA with an average age of 30.0. Their top 11 players are all 28 or older. Their star tandem of Kawhi Leonard and James Harden is 34 and 36, respectively.

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The case for and against LA Clippers pursuing Ja Morant

As Yossi Gozlan mentioned, the LA Clippers will need to invest in young talent at some point. Almost all All-Star caliber players aged 25 or younger have settled on current teams.

Meanwhile, Ja Morant could be the odd man out. He admitted losing his "joy" after returning from his one-game suspension on Monday against the Pistons. It's difficult not to envision a potential breakup between the Grizzlies and the former Most Improved Player of the Year.

The case for Clippers pursuing Morant

While the Clippers have cap space in 2026 and 2027, unrestricted free agency can be unpredictable in pursuing All-Star talents, unlike in a trade. If Morant demands to leave or the Grizzlies look to shop him, it makes sense for the Clippers to be among the buyers.

It may hinder their roster balance as Morant and Harden play the same position, but there are doubts over the Clippers' ability to contend with this core.

Assuming Morant's market is robust, he would be a buy-low trade candidate, so the Clippers won't have much to lose.

The case against Clippers pursuing Morant

Morant's performances and availability have been concerning. He has regressed yearly and has a limited ceiling offensively. One of Morant's best traits was his off-the-charts athleticism and above-the-rim play, but it has regressed yearly.

He's attempting 4.4 attempts at the rim and shooting 39.3%, including 13.9% from 3 this season, which are all career low marks. It remains unclear if those are Morant's shortcomings or his situation with the Grizzlies, making it a risky move for LA.

Clippers pursuing Morant is a 50-50 call

The LA Clippers' potentially pursuing Ja Morant seems like a 50-50 call. Both arguments make equal sense, if not more. It will be intriguing to see which path the Clippers take if Morant hits the market near the trade deadline or next offseason.