Teams across the league are preparing for the possibility that Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball, and Trae Young could become available in the coming months, according to comments from Marc Stein.
Stein reported on ALL NBA PODCAST that executives are beginning to group the three guards together as potential trade targets, even though none of their teams have signaled a willingness to engage in formal discussions.
Ball is at the center of that attention in Charlotte, where the Hornets are 4-13 and facing early-season instability. The organization has publicly denied interest in exploring offers for the 24-year-old guard, who is in the second year of a five-year, $204 million contract.
Ball is averaging 21.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 9.3 assists through 10 games, giving Charlotte one of the highest-assist producers in the league despite the team’s record. His 3.6 turnovers per game highlight the high-usage role he carries within the Hornets’ offense.
Morant, 26, faces similar attention in Memphis. The Grizzlies are 6-11, and although he is averaging 17.9 points and 7.6 assists, questions remain about the team’s long-term direction.
Memphis has maintained the stance that they are not pursuing trade conversations involving Morant, who is in the third year of a five-year, $197 million agreement. His playmaking and downhill ability remain central to the team’s identity, even as the roster continues to shift around him.
The situation in Atlanta involves more structural uncertainty. Young and the Hawks did not begin contract extension talks over the summer, with the front office indicating a desire to let the season unfold.
The Hawks are 11-7, with Young averaging 17.8 points and 7.8 assists across five appearances. His usage decline has coincided with strong production from Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, adding complexity to Atlanta’s internal evaluation.
Executive curiosity around Young continues to grow given his contract status. He is in the fourth year of a five-year, $215 million deal with a player option in the final season, making him a potential midseason or offseason candidate for movement depending on Atlanta’s direction.
League trade activity typically increases after December 15, when most recently signed players become eligible to be moved. That date represents the unofficial launch of trade season, with the deadline on February 5 shaping the window teams are preparing for.
Stein emphasized that none of the three franchises are actively engaging in discussions at this stage. He noted that messaging from both Memphis and Charlotte has remained firm, while Atlanta’s stance is based on evaluating the season before reassessing options.
