The Memphis Grizzlies will attempt to trade Ja Morant this summer. If they can't find a trade suitor, Memphis has been urged to buy Morant out.
The Memphis Grizzlies have been urged to buy out Ja Morant if they can't trade him this offseason.
NBA analyst Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report believes the Grizzlies need to buy out Morant's contract if they don't find a trade suitor for the point guard.
"Whether they can find anyone to give them any value for him or not, the Grizzlies absolutely have to move Ja Morant this summer," Bailey wrote. "Even if they don't get a great offer, they might need to consider a buyout."
Morant will make $42.1 million next season and $44 million in the 2027-28 season, the final year of his contract. A buyout figures to be pretty expensive.
The 26-year-old Morant has been linked to the Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves in trade rumors. The two-time All-Star doesn't have a no-trade clause, so he can't control his future.
In 20 games for Memphis this season, Morant averaged 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists per contest while shooting 41.0% from the field, 23.5% from beyond the arc and 89.7% from the free-throw line.
The Grizzlies have the third overall pick in this year's draft. Most people who cover the NBA believe Memphis wants to trade Morant before the 2026 draft.
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 with Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane.
Morant has career averages of 22.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. He no longer fits Memphis' timeline since the franchise is rebuilding after trading Bane to the Orlando Magic last offseason and Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz at this year's trade deadline.
According to ESPN, Morant has told people that he's done playing for the Grizzlies, who selected him with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Murray State. Morant, per ESPN's report, hasn't gotten over the Grizzlies' decision to suspend him earlier this season for conduct detrimental to the team.
"Morant still hasn't gotten over the suspension, multiple league sources said, because he felt alienated by teammates, who were told to leave the star guard alone so he could work through the issues that had led to the suspension. In the aftermath, Morant told players around the league and some of his former coaches that he isn't playing for Memphis anymore, sources said," ESPN wrote.
All signs point toward Morant being on a new NBA team next season. We just have to wait and see which team it will be.
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