The Minnesota Timberwolves made one of the biggest swings of the NBA offseason on Thursday, landing LaMelo Ball in a blockbuster trade that reshuffles the entire NBA landscape. For months, Minnesota had been connected to a number of marquee names, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, Kyrie Irving, and Ball, but the name that kept coming up most consistently was Ja Morant.
With the Memphis Grizzlies widely expected to move on from Morant this summer, the Wolves were considered one of the frontrunners to land the electric point guard, given their obvious need for a star at the position. Now that Ball is headed to Minneapolis, Minnesota is officially out of the running, and that opens the door for some very interesting scenarios elsewhere.
So where does Morant end up? Here are three potential landing spots.
Miami Heat
Miami has been one of the most frequently mentioned destinations for Morant for months. The Heat just traded for Antetokounmpo, but many around the league still believe their roster has significant gaps and is still a tier below other Eastern Conference contenders like the Knicks and Celtics. Morant could be the final missing piece. A trio of Antetokounmpo, Morant, and Bam Adebayo would be one of the most dynamic combinations in the NBA. And Miami still has enough young talent, like Davion Mitchell and Nikola Jovic, to put together an attractive package for Memphis.
Toronto Raptors
Toronto was reportedly in the mix for LaMelo Ball before Minnesota swooped in. They want a star, and they want one now. The Raptors gave the Cavs all they could handle in the playoffs last season, all without starting guard Immanuel Quickley, who missed the entire postseason due to injury. Pair Morant with Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Brandon Ingram, and you’ve got one of the most exciting rotations in the NBA and a legitimate contender in the East. A deal could see Quickley, another young player, and picks head to Memphis, exactly the kind of return a rebuilding franchise like Memphis needs.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics still don’t really have a point guard. In the 2026 NBA Draft, they doubled down on frontcourt depth, selecting Houston’s 6-foot-11 freshman Chris Cenac Jr. in the first round and St. John’s 6-foot-8 forward Dillon Mitchell in the second. That leaves Payton Pritchard and Derrick White as the only two guards who saw heavy minutes last season. Add in the growing Jaylen Brown trade rumors, and a potential swap starts to make a lot of sense. Morant gets a fresh start in one of basketball’s most storied markets, while Brown brings veteran championship experience to a Grizzlies team focused on building for the future.