Despite trade whispers and injuries, Memphis holds firm on Ja Morant. Will his availability soon clarify his immediate future on court or off?
The Memphis Grizzlies are facing renewed scrutiny over Ja Morant’s future as rival teams monitor whether the franchise is prepared to shift course amid injuries, inconsistency and a turbulent month behind the scenes.
Morant, averaging 17.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 7.6 assists across 12 games, has missed considerable time due to a right calf strain suffered Nov. 15 against Cleveland. The Grizzlies announced he would be re-evaluated two weeks later, a timeline that took him out for Memphis’ matchup against New Orleans on Nov. 26. He has now missed 185 of a possible 492 regular-season games over the past six years — a pattern that has amplified questions from around the league about his long-term availability.
Meanwhile, the guard room around him has collapsed under injuries. Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe), Ty Jerome (calf) and Javon Small (toe) are sidelined, leaving Vince Williams Jr. and Cam Spencer as improvised playmakers. Memphis also brought in Kobe Bufkin on a 10-day contract to stabilize depth.
Against that backdrop, HoopsHype reported that teams across the NBA began calling Memphis after Morant was suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team following an argument with head coach Tuomas Iisalo. Executives were reportedly eager to determine whether the Morant era was nearing its conclusion, especially as Memphis’ roster direction remains clouded after the Desmond Bane trade this summer.
But Grizzlies executive Zach Kleiman “declined trade inquiries on Morant then and has since, for the time being,” league sources told HoopsHype.
The calculus is complicated by Morant’s declining production on his hallmark skill: attacking the rim. His signature downhill drives, once among the league’s most electrifying sequences, have fallen to a career-low 14.58 per game on just 40 percent shooting, marking the second straight season of a steep drop. Combined with two previous suspensions involving firearms and the cost of his contract — $39.45 million this season and $87 million owed over the next two years — a trade would be a substantial bet for any team.
Morant’s availability has also influenced Memphis’ results. The Grizzlies are 4-8 with him this season and 2-4 without him, entering play at 6-12 overall.
While interest has mounted in what several rival executives viewed as a potential “buy-low” opportunity, the franchise has shown no urgency to rebuild or move either Morant or Jaren Jackson Jr.
According to HoopsHype, teams will continue to monitor whether Memphis opts to retool using the draft capital from the Bane trade or eventually commits to a broader reset.
Morant could be re-evaluated as early as next week, providing clarity on whether his immediate future is on the court or in the rumor mill.