Memphis Grizzlies Not Looking To Trade Ja Morant At This Juncture
The Memphis Grizzlies are not looking to trade Ja Morant at this juncture, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
The Grizzlies recently suspended Morant one game due to conduct detrimental to the team.
“For all the sources we’ve heard from who believe Ja Morant has indeed shifted into that mode, there has yet to be a credible murmur from the Memphis Grizzlies’ side to suggest that they would even entertain the idea of trying to trade their runaway most popular player,” Fischer wrote. “Not at this juncture.”
The 2019-20 Rookie of the Year, Morant signed a five-year, $197 million extension with Memphis in 2022. The All-Star guard will make $39.4 million this season, $42.2 million in the 2026-27 season and $44.9 million in the 2027-28 season, which is the final year of his contract.
Morant has only led the Grizzlies to the second round of the playoffs once. The Murray State product, who won the 2021-22 Most Improved Player of the Year Award, is averaging 20.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists this season while shooting 38.3% from the field, 14.0% from beyond the arc and 95.8% from the free-throw line.
The Grizzlies are just 3-8 on the season. Most people around the NBA believe Morant doesn’t like playing for head coach Tuomas Iisalo, who replaced Taylor Jenkins last season.
“Nobody’s doing seismic, monumental things before 20, 25 games have been played,” one player agent insisted to Fischer.
Morant, 26, has career averages of 22.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists in the NBA. He was the second overall pick in the 2019 draft.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings are monitoring the Morant situation with the Grizzlies, according to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic. While the Houston Rockets need a point guard after losing Fred VanVleet to a torn ACL, they are unlikely to pursue Morant, per Amick.
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