Ja Morant is “open” to getting traded by the Memphis Grizzlies, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Like Trae Young with the Atlanta Hawks, Morant is ready to leave the Grizzlies.
“Also similar to Young, I’ve been told that Morant is as quietly open to a change of scenery away from Memphis as his counterpart was to leaving Atlanta,” Fischer wrote. “The Grizzlies’ decision to canvas the market for a Morant deal is believed to be a mutually agreed-upon path forward.”
Morant “hates” playing for Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo, sources told DallasHoopsJournal. The point guard is not a fan of Iisalo’s strategy of playing lineups in short shifts and then mass substituting, sources said. It has prevented Morant from getting his legs underneath him and developing a rhythm on the court.
Memphis is entertaining offers to potentially trade Morant, who doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. Multiple teams are pursuing Morant in trade talks and rival executives believe the Grizzlies would prioritize draft picks and young players in return.
Memphis is considering multiple paths forward amid the emergence of several promising young players. The Grizzlies also remain open to continuing with Morant as a focal part of their core with Jaren Jackson Jr.
Morant has appeared in 18 games this season. He’s averaging 19.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game while shooting 40.1% from the field, 20.8% from beyond the arc and 90.0% from the free-throw line.
A two-time All-Star, Morant is making $39.4 million this season. He will make $42.2 million next season and $44.9 million in the 2027-28 season, the final year of his contract.
The 2019-20 Rookie of the Year, Morant has only led the Grizzlies to the second round of the playoffs once.
Morant, 26, has career averages of 22.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. He was the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
Some members of the Miami Heat have discussed whether the organization could foster a productive environment for Morant to bounce back to his All-Star best, per Fischer.
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