NBA Rumors: The trade that would bring Ja Morant and Zion Williamson together for the New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans seem to be one of the few NBA teams really determined to pursue the signing of Ja Morant. According to a report from Scoop B, the Louisiana franchise has already put a strong trade proposal on the table to convince the Memphis Grizzlies. "From what I'm hearing, the Pelicans have made a substantial offer," the report states.

Morant's situation in Memphis has been deteriorating over time. Suspensions, a long history of injuries, and conflicts with both coaches and teammates have strained the relationship. Although the player himself insists he wants to stay with the Grizzlies, his actions seem to suggest otherwise. The initial trade package leaked included four players and was structured as follows:

Memphis Grizzlies would receive:

• Jordan Poole

• Dejounte Murray

New Orleans Pelicans would receive:

• Ja Morant

• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

The goal of the Pelicans would be to pair Morant with Zion Williamson and form one of the most explosive duos in the league.

Alternative packages without draft picks

According to Scoop B Robinson, New Orleans explored other combinations, seeking to persuade Memphis with depth of roster and veteran presence. Among the proposed alternatives were:

• Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney

• Jordan Poole, Jordan Hawkins, and DeAndre Jordan

However, the Grizzlies remained steadfast in a key demand: any trade must include a first-round draft pick, even if protected. Currently, the Pelicans have not agreed to that stipulation. "They were willing to shake up the roster, but not mortgage the future," the report notes, adding, "The Pelicans aren't just looking to tweak details; they want to be ultra-aggressive."

A potential pairing of Ja Morant and Zion Williamson would also have a symbolic component. Both players crossed paths on the same AAU team and were the top two picks in the 2019 NBA Draft. Not all insiders confirm this scenario. Marc Stein has cast doubt on these reports and suggests that there have been no concrete trade discussions between New Orleans and Memphis.

In terms of performance, neither of the two teams is currently in a good place. The Grizzlies are currently in the eleventh spot in the West, outside both the playoffs and the Play-In tournament. The Pelicans, on the other hand, are even worse off: at the bottom of the Western Conference with a record of 12-36.