Ja Morant to Warriors? Trade Proposal Lands All-Star for Title Push

The Golden State Warriors are reeling following Jimmy Butler’s torn ACL injury. With the Feb. 5 trade deadline right around the corner, the franchise is expected to be busy on the trade market. A trade proposal from Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale could be enough to ensure Golden State remains in the hunt for a championship this season. The trade idea looks like this: Warriors Get: Ja Morant and Vincent Williams Jr. Memphis Grizzlies Get: Buddy Hield, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and a 2026 first-round draft pick. “Losing Butler vaults them to Defcon 1 on the “Western Conference Postseason Irrelevance” scale. If Morant can actualize even 70 percent of the player he is supposed to be, he helps replace the scoring, playmaking, rim pressure and foul-drawing the Warriors are now forfeiting,” Favale wrote. “…Bagging Morant is the bigger deal. Despite having the league’s best offense since before Christmas, Golden State’s scoring attack is in shambles for the season without Steph on the floor. Morant can help the team tread water during those stretches, much like Butler was doing.” Morant has played in 19 games this season, averaging 19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per night. He’s shooting 40.7% from the field and 23.5% from deep. The Warriors Will Need Rim Pressure Without Butler, and with Jonathan Kuminga still likely to be traded, Golden State will need someone who can put pressure on the rim. By doing so, the Warriors will stretch defenses to the max. Teams will be cautious of Stephen Curry’s work on the perimeter. They will also be worried about what Morant can do when driving the lane. Butler’s ability to get to his spots has been a key component to how Golden State has countered aggressive pick-and-roll coverage and high pick-and-roll points. Losing him and Kuminga in the space of a week could be devastating, unless Mike Dunleavy adds another rim threat to the rotation. Morant comes with his own set of issues, both on and off the court. Warriors fans will likely hope that the draw of competing for a championship is enough to get Morant to buyin on the system. Warriors Unlikely to Trade Butler When speaking to the media on Tuesday, Jan. 20, Dunleavy was quick to dispel the notion of Golden State flipping Butler following his injury. “I don’t envision that,” Dunleavy said. “My vision for him is to give us a boost next year. The same way he did last year when he arrived…At his age, to have the year he’s had is impressive. He’s got a style of game that can play for a long time — with his skill, his physicality, his mind for the game.” Furthermore, the optics of trading Butler almost instantly after his injury wouldn’t be good. Golden State’s roster is built on a veteran core. Dunleavy will need players to trust him when negotiating trades or contract extensions. That’s why loyalty will be a big part of the current approach during the final years of the Curry-era. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that the Warriors need another scorer. It’s going to be fun watching how they approach the trade deadline over the next week.