Grizzlies actively gauge trade interest for Ja Morant, prioritizing draft capital and young players as deadline pressure mounts.
The Memphis Grizzlies are pressing forward with internal evaluations and external conversations involving Ja Morant, even as the NBA trade market has been reshaped by the sudden availability of a far bigger star.
League attention in recent days has gravitated toward Milwaukee’s openness to moving Giannis Antetokounmpo, a development that has temporarily cooled momentum around other marquee names. Still, Memphis has not stepped away from discussions involving Morant, and rival teams remain aware that the door is open.
The Grizzlies’ willingness to listen marks a significant shift for a franchise that once viewed Morant as its unquestioned centerpiece. While no deal is considered imminent, the league-wide understanding is that Memphis is actively gauging interest rather than simply answering exploratory calls.
Shams Charania addressed the situation Monday during a SportsCenter appearance, emphasizing that Morant’s name has not faded from trade conversations despite the market’s shifting focus.
“There is a chance, definitely, that he moves before the deadline,” Charania said.
Morant, a two-time All-Star, has averaged 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists across 20 games this season. His production, however, has been interrupted by repeated absences. He has missed multiple stretches due to injury and has been sidelined again with a right calf contusion that has kept him out since early January.
The 26-year-old guard traveled with the team during its recent European trip and expressed hope of returning for a pair of games against Orlando, though he was ultimately ruled out of the Berlin matchup. During that stretch, Morant was also seen in a heated exchange with teammate Vince Williams Jr. during practice, underscoring the tense atmosphere surrounding the team.
Asked previously about trade speculation, Morant offered little clarity, responding tersely that he would have to “live with it.”
Off the court, Morant has leaned into ambiguity. Earlier this month, he posted a cryptic message on X that read, “Time tells the truth,” a comment that only intensified scrutiny as the deadline approached.
Behind the scenes, Memphis’ calculus appears rooted in both basketball and long-term roster construction. League sources have indicated the Grizzlies would prioritize draft capital and young players in any potential deal, signaling a willingness to reset portions of their timeline rather than simply reshuffle veteran talent.
The Miami Heat have emerged repeatedly in league chatter as a possible destination, with Morant reportedly open to that scenario should a trade materialize. Miami has not publicly addressed its level of interest, but the team’s ongoing search for star-level offensive creation has made the fit an obvious topic among executives.
Contract considerations loom large. Morant is earning $39.4 million this season, with his salary escalating to $42.2 million in 2026–27 and $44.9 million in 2027–28. He is also eligible to sign a three-year, $178 million extension this summer, a factor that complicates trade talks for both Memphis and potential suitors.
Compounding matters, Morant’s recent injury history and reported friction with the coaching staff have created skepticism around his current trade value. Executives around the league have privately questioned whether Memphis can command a return commensurate with Morant’s talent given the uncertainty surrounding his availability and long-term stability.
Whether the Grizzlies ultimately move forward with a deal may hinge on how the broader market settles once the Antetokounmpo situation clarifies. For now, Memphis continues to listen, weigh offers and assess leverage, knowing the coming days could redefine both Morant’s future and the franchise’s direction.