Ja, LaMelo and Trae: Why these All-Star guards may have ‘negative value’ | NBA executives declare…

Explore the latest developments concerning Ja, LaMelo and.

Ja, LaMelo and Trae: Why these All-Star guards may have 'negative value'

LaMelo Ball says that a trade request did not come from him and adds that he loves the Charlotte Hornets organization. (0:51)

A trio of recent All-Star point guards tends to be lumped together in conversations among NBA front offices lately.

Charlotte's LaMelo Ball, Memphis' Ja Morant and Atlanta's Trae Young all seem to be stuck in a sort of limbo with the franchises that they've been the faces of since entering the league as high lottery picks. There is rampant speculation among rival teams that Ball, Morant and Young could all be available leading up to the Feb. 5 trade deadline.

NBA executives declare Ja Morant, Trae Young, LaMelo Ball all have 'NEGATIVE VALUE'

Suppose there's one thing US basketball can be proud of over the past 20 years. In that case, it's producing a phenomenal generation of guards who still dominate today, and the generation set to replace them looks frighteningly good, at least on paper.

At the front of the line are Tyrese Haliburton, Cade Cunningham and Jalen Brunson, and we also have to mention the likes of LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant and Trae Young. The latter three have generated the most debate this season, but unfortunately not because of the spectacular performances we've gotten used to in recent years.

Tim MacMahon and Bobby Marks from ESPN delved into the burning topic, speaking with several executives around the league about the trade value of Ball, Morant, and Young, and the answers were alarming.

Is Ja Morant playing today? Grizzlies star injury update vs. Clippers

He initially clashed in the locker room with the Memphis Grizzlies new coaching staff. Then, he clashed with Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson. He's been the subject of constant trade rumors. He hasn't played all that well. And he's injured again.

On that last front, though, the narrative could be changing soon. After missing more than two weeks of action due to a right calf strain, Morant appears to inching closer to a return. The Grizzlies offered an encouraging update on the status of their star point guard on Thursday, Dec. 4.

Memphis went 5-3 in the eight games Morant missed since leaving their Nov. 15 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first quarter. The team is 5-5 overall this season when Morant doesn't play.

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