Golden State Eyes Ja Morant After Butler Injury

Merlin sees Ja Morant suddenly on the market and a bold Bleacher Report proposal that would send him and Vince Williams Jr. to Golden State for Buddy Hield, Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and a protected first. Jimmy Butler’s torn ACL forced the Dubs into a decision: chase a game-changer, sit tight, or gamble on a short-term fix. Morant would bring scoring, playmaking and rim pressure that Butler provided. Merlin notes Memphis reportedly wants "a young player and first-round pick," and this trade hands them two young wings plus a pick while asking little long term of Golden State. The fit is awkward on defense and next to Stephen Curry, but the cost is low enough that a successful Morant rehab could flip the Warriors’ late season story.