Morant is presently the most dynamic offensive player on the Grizzlies, but this organization needs to be thinking about the future.
The Memphis Grizzlies and Ja Morant appear headed toward a divorce.
It just can’t happen yet.
Memphis listened to offers before the Feb. 5 trade deadline but ultimately didn’t move him. Now, timing — not intention — is the obstacle. Morant is sidelined with a left elbow UCL sprain, and the team announced on Feb. 18 that he will be reevaluated in two weeks.
He hasn’t played since Jan. 21 against the Atlanta Hawks, when he posted 23 points and 12 assists. The injury appeared to occur on a block attempt when he made contact with the backboard.
Injuries have defined much of his 2025-26 season. Morant has appeared in just 20 of Memphis’ 53 games, averaging 19.5 points and 8.1 assists while shooting 41.0% from the field and 23.5% from three. For a two-time All-Star and former All-NBA guard, that represents a clear dip from his career 22.4 points per game on 46.6% shooting.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies sit at 21-33 — the ninth-worst record in the NBA — and 4.5 games out of the Play-In Tournament in the Western Conference.
That context changes everything.
Morant remains the most dynamic offensive player on this roster. Even in a down, injury-interrupted season, that’s true.
Paradoxically, that may be the problem.
The upcoming draft class is widely viewed as one of the strongest in years. If Memphis is serious about reshaping its long-term trajectory, maximizing lottery odds must take priority. A healthy, productive Morant could swing a handful of late-season games — the kind that feel insignificant in March but cost meaningful draft positioning in May.
At 21-33 and outside the Play-In picture, Memphis has already drifted toward the lottery. Climbing back into postseason contention would require a sustained push — one that may not align with the franchise’s broader timeline.
Names like Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer represent potential franchise pillars. That opportunity may matter more than marginal late-season wins.
But the opposite scenario presents risk, too.
If Morant returns and struggles — whether due to rust, efficiency concerns or fit — how does Memphis convince a trade partner this summer that he remains worth the gamble? His current line reflects both inefficiency and limited availability. The Grizzlies need some evidence of high-level play to stabilize his market value.
That’s the tightrope.
Memphis must increase Morant’s trade appeal without sabotaging its lottery positioning. That balance won’t be simple.
Bring him back when healthy. If he’s efficient and the team still loses, that’s ideal. Productive numbers in controlled minutes on a developing roster could intrigue a front office willing to bet on his upside without driving Memphis up the standings.
If his presence begins producing wins, the calculus shifts. At that point, the Grizzlies would need to lean more heavily into development. Minutes can be redistributed. Lineups can be experimental. Organizational priorities can be framed around growth.
The bottom line is clear.
At 21-33 and ninth-worst in the league, Memphis is positioned for a pivotal draft moment. Unless there’s a dramatic pivot back toward building around Morant — which recent signals suggest is unlikely — hitting on a franchise cornerstone in this class would do more for the Grizzlies than any trade package built around discounted value.
Morant’s résumé remains impressive: Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, two-time All-Star, All-NBA selection. That history won’t disappear.
But timelines evolve.
Memphis appears to be entering a new one. The next two months are not about salvaging a season that has already slipped. They’re about controlling the franchise’s future.
After that, the separation can finally happen on their terms.