The Pelicans aren’t interested in trading for Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (subscription required).
New Orleans was mentioned over the weekend as a potential destination for Morant, but a source tells Stein and Fischer that Jeremiah Fears, whom New Orleans selected with the seventh pick in last year’s draft, is viewed as the team’s point guard of the future. With Dejounte Murray also on the roster, there’s little reason to take a chance on Morant, who has a large contract, questionable health and a troubled past.
The Pelicans are still getting “significant” trade interest in Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones, with league sources telling The Stein Line that the team is asking for multiple first-round picks in exchange for either player.
Stein and Fischer more inside information from around the league:
- After hiring Dusty May as their head coach, the Mavericks are considered more likely to hold onto their current pick at No. 9 rather than trading it for two lower choices in the first round, sources tell The Stein Line. May is expected to attend the draft to support his former Michigan players, Aday Mara, Morez Johnson and Yaxel Lendeborg, but Stein and Fischer state that it’s not clear if any of them are firmly on Dallas’ radar, especially if Nate Ament is still on the board.
- Julius Randle became the odd man out as the Timberwolves sacrificed an important component of their frontcourt to gain financial flexibility. Randle’s salary was sent to Brooklyn as part of a three-team deal that gave Minnesota a $33.3MM traded player exception. According to Stein and Fischer, the Wolves “absolutely” didn’t want to give up Naz Reid and were “skittish” about parting with Rudy Gobert, who serves as the interior anchor of the team’s defense. The Stein Line duo expects president of basketball operations Tim Connelly to continue to be active after re-signing Ayo Dosunmu on a five-year, $112MM deal.
- The Heat may explore moving Nikola Jovic to acquire another shooter to team with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo, Stein and Fischer add. Jovic will make $16.2MM next season and is under contract through 2029/30.
