Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans Not Discussing Ja Morant Trade
The Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans aren’t discussing a Ja Morant trade, according to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
Morant is making $39.4 million this season. The two-time All-Star and the Grizzlies have mutual interest in parting ways, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.
Memphis is entertaining offers to trade Morant, who doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. Rival executives believe the Grizzlies are prioritizing draft picks and young players in return.
Morant “hates” playing for Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo, sources said. The point guard is not a fan of Iisalo’s strategy of playing lineups in short shifts and then mass substituting. It has prevented Morant from getting his legs underneath him and developing a rhythm on the court.
Morant has played in 20 games this season. He’s averaging 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game while shooting 41.0% from the field, 23.5% from beyond the arc and 89.7% from the free-throw line.
The 2019-20 Rookie of the Year, Morant has led the Grizzlies to the second round of the playoffs just once. That was back in 2022.
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 out of Murray State.
It will be intriguing to see if Morant gets traded by the Grizzlies, who currently sit in 11th place in the Western Conference. The Pelicans have the worst record in the West.
Morant, who will miss the next three weeks due to an ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his left elbow, has been linked to the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings and Miami Heat. The 2026 NBA trade deadline is February 5 at 3 p.m. ET.
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