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Three Trade Fits For Memphis Grizzlies Star Ja Morant Amid Swirling Rumors

James PierceyJanuary 13, 2026January 17, 2026

NBA, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, Ja Morant

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The Memphis Grizzlies may finally be approaching a crossroads with Ja Morant. The two-time NBA All-Star has appeared in just 18 games this season, averaging 19.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists while shooting 40.1% from the field and 20.8% from three. His year has been repeatedly disrupted by injuries, including a Grade 1 right calf strain, a left ankle sprain in December, and most recently, a right calf bruise that has sidelined him since Jan. 4.

There may be light at the end of the tunnel on the court. Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo said Tuesday that Morant practiced and has “a chance” to return Thursday when Memphis faces the Orlando Magic in Berlin, with another opportunity to play Sunday in London if he does not return immediately.

Off the court, however, the picture is far less settled. On Jan. 9, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Memphis is “entertaining offers” for Morant — the first time the franchise has engaged other teams in trade discussions involving him since selecting him No. 2 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft. Despite the turbulence, Morant’s résumé still carries significant weight. He was a back-to-back All-Star in 2022 and 2023 and led Memphis to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference during that stretch. But the present-day reality is harsher. The Grizzlies sit 10th in the West at 17-22, emblematic of a season that has struggled to find momentum.

Ultimately, Feb. 5 looms as the key date. Morant appears close to returning, which could stabilize his trade value, but the broader direction is already clear. By all indications, Memphis is open for business — a development that should surprise absolutely no one. The writing has been on the wall for some time. This season, it is written in bright neon. Morant is experiencing the most uneven healthy campaign of his career, and the organization around him has stalled. At some point, both sides are forced to confront the same conclusion: it may be time to move on.

That reality comes with risk for Memphis. The recent Trae Young blockbuster made one thing abundantly clear — this is a buyer’s market. Star talent is not commanding star returns, and Morant’s combination of injuries and inefficiency figures to cool his market further.

Still, a buy-low opportunity on a former franchise cornerstone will intrigue teams willing to gamble.

Here are three that could reasonably consider it.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves are widely viewed as a team searching for point guard help, but recent reporting consistently points toward safer, more conventional solutions than a swing for Morant.

Coverage around Minnesota emphasizes the need to reduce the offensive burden on their primary scorer and stabilize late-game execution. However, that need has been paired with caution. The Wolves have been linked to practical, mid-tier options rather than headline-grabbing blockbusters, reflecting both financial constraints and a desire to preserve roster depth.

In that light, Morant fits more as a conceptual solution than an operational one. The appeal is obvious — elite athleticism, downhill pressure, and star equity — but the cost, tax implications, and volatility all clash with how Minnesota has been positioned in recent reporting. The interest, if any, would be rooted in theory rather than a realistic pursuit.

Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings are trapped in a cycle of mediocrity, light on premium assets and heavy on uncertainty. In that context, almost any decisive action is more defensible than standing still.

A buy-low gamble on Morant could offer a reset. While he is undeniably a complicated player, it was not long ago that he looked like a legitimate MVP candidate. Sacramento could reshape its roster in his image, commit to him fully, and see whether that version of Morant still exists.

If it fails, the Kings regain control over their long-term direction. If it succeeds, it becomes a franchise-altering move. For an organization starved for relevance, that risk may be worth taking.

Toronto Raptors

Since their championship run built around Kawhi Leonard, the Toronto Raptors have leaned into unconventional bets. Morant, in many ways, fits that profile.

His limited three-point shooting makes the fit with Scottie Barnes far from seamless, and skepticism would be justified. Still, Toronto prioritizes ball movement and playmaking, and Morant would immediately become the roster’s most dynamic creator.

Even without elite shooting volume, the Raptors could envision an offense driven by pace, pressure and constant rim attacks. And in the current market, Morant could likely be acquired without sacrificing future first-round picks — a risk calculation that may be too tempting to ignore.

Any team that trades for Morant is accepting volatility. But as the deadline approaches and Memphis signals its openness, the calculus becomes clearer. This is no longer about whether the Grizzlies are willing to listen.

They already are.