The Milwaukee Bucks were among the teams most frequently linked to Ja Morant ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline, but a deal never came to fruition. Why? Well, it likely has to do with Ryan Rollins. Per Jake Fischer, the Memphis Grizzlies wanted Rollins "in any iteration" of a deal with Milwaukee. If the Bucks told them to kick rocks, it would have been justifiable.
Bucks Were Right to Keep Their Rising Guard
Ryan Rollins was one of the few bright spots for the Milwaukee Bucks in an ugly 2025-26 season. After showing flashes the previous year, the 23-year-old guard broke out in a major way, putting up numbers that had many believing he deserved serious Most Improved Player consideration.
Rollins averaged 17.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game across 74 games. He shot an impressive 47.2% from the field, 40.6% from three (on 6.1 attempts), and 79.6% from the free-throw line while playing 32.1 minutes per night.
In a season filled with turbulence, injuries, and disappointing team results, Rollins emerged as a reliable, high-efficiency scorer and playmaker on what is arguably one of the best value contracts in the NBA. At just 23 years old, he has proven he belongs as a long-term piece in Milwaukee’s backcourt.
Trading him for Ja Morant would have been a head-scratcher for several reasons. While Morant remains a dynamic, All-Star caliber talent with explosive athleticism, his availability has been a major concern. Over the last three seasons, Morant has played just 79 regular-season games combined due to a string of injuries (including shoulder surgery, ankle issues, calf strains, elbow problems, and more) plus past suspensions.
For a Bucks team that has already battled significant injury issues in recent years, adding another high-usage guard with durability questions would have been risky — especially at Morant’s sizable contract.
Outside of the short-term appeal of acquiring another big name to pair with (or potentially replace) Giannis Antetokounmpo, there would have been limited upside if it meant giving up a young, ascending, cost-controlled guard like Rollins.
Could Morant and Rollins Have Worked as a Backcourt Duo?
On the flip side, if the Grizzlies had softened their stance and been willing to move Morant without demanding Rollins, the pairing could have been intriguing as a reclamation project.
The idea would be to let Morant operate as the primary ball-handler and floor general while Rollins thrives off the ball — a role where he has already shown excellent shooting, cutting, and secondary playmaking. Rollins’ defensive intensity and steal rate could also help cover for Morant’s occasional lapses on that end.
Together, they could have formed a dynamic, athletic backcourt with high scoring upside and playmaking potential. However, that scenario never materialized because Memphis made Rollins a non-negotiable piece in any deal.
New Coach Taylor Jenkins Adds Another Layer
One has to wonder how much interest the Bucks still have in Morant following their hiring of Taylor Jenkins as head coach. There have been well-documented reports of tension between Jenkins and Morant during their time together in Memphis, with Morant reportedly growing frustrated with certain offensive schemes and his role in them.
Bringing in a new coach to stabilize the locker room only to reunite him with a star who previously tuned him out could create unnecessary friction. The Bucks appear committed to building around their young talent rather than forcing a high-risk star acquisition that comes with baggage.
The Milwaukee Bucks will likely go star hunting this summer as they look to reshape the roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the odds of Ja Morant landing in Milwaukee have regressed significantly — thanks in large part to their wise decision to protect Ryan Rollins.
Would you have been willing to include Rollins in a Ja Morant deal, or was keeping the young guard the correct call? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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