NBA Front Offices Skeptical About Trade Value of Trae Young, Ja Morant and LaMelo Ball
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December 3, 2025 — With the trade deadline two months away, several teams believe Atlanta’s Trae Young, Memphis’ Ja Morant and Charlotte’s LaMelo Ball could all be obtainable, according to ESPN reporters Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks. Yet a series of interviews with scouts and general managers suggests enthusiasm for acquiring any of the three star point guards is limited.
Overall Sentiment
One Western Conference general manager flatly stated he would not pursue any of the players, while an Eastern Conference executive argued each might even carry “negative value” on the trade market. A second Western Conference GM projected the possibility that two—or even all three—could ultimately be swapped for one another in a larger deal, noting that teams sometimes exchange “flawed” stars who might benefit from fresh environments.
Trae Young
Defense tops the list of worries surrounding the four-time All-Star. Atlanta’s defensive rating with Young on the court would rank last in the league, whereas the club posts top-five numbers whenever he sits. An Eastern Conference scout acknowledged the 6-1 guard’s porous defense and modest stature but still rated him above Morant and Ball thanks to elite offensive skills and the absence of off-court issues.
Other officials, however, questioned Young’s chemistry with teammates and wondered what sort of contract he could command once he can opt out in 2026—an option worth $49 million for the 2026-27 season. Rival executives also pointed out that if Atlanta does move Young, the organization would need to secure a new primary ball-handler, either in the same deal or via the 2026 draft, when the Hawks will hold the more favorable of New Orleans’ or Milwaukee’s first-round picks.
Ja Morant
An Eastern Conference executive told ESPN he would steer clear of Morant even at a discounted salary, combining concerns over injuries, recent performance decline and off-court headaches. Some league insiders compared the 26-year-old’s trajectory to that of John Wall and Derrick Rose—athletic point guards whose prime years were cut short by health issues.
A Western Conference GM described Morant as trending “down, down, down,” adding that teams would need detailed medical information before making a move. Others were more bullish, citing the two-time All-Star’s playoff résumé and predicting he would thrive in a different setting. One executive called a trade “a gamble,” but maintained that Memphis will eventually “have to move Ja” because the relationship appears unsalvageable.
LaMelo Ball
Opposing evaluators are skeptical about Ball’s commitment to winning, pointing to his adventurous shot selection and below-average defense. An assistant coach said the 24-year-old “takes the same shots he took in high school,” and although he showed flashes of defensive effort early this season, little has changed on offense.
Durability adds another red flag: Ball has not appeared in more than 47 games in a season since 2021-22. With no playoff experience on his résumé, scouts wonder how his style would translate to the postseason. One Western Conference executive labeled Ball “unserious,” despite acknowledging his considerable talent. Another evaluator argued Ball is among the league’s three most gifted point guards but criticized his “Globetrotter” tendencies and persistent bad habits.
With front-office opinions this mixed, the next two months will determine whether any team is willing to meet the asking price for Young, Morant or Ball—or whether the trio’s perceived flaws outweigh their star power.
Source: HoopsRumors
