The Memphis Grizzlies are expected to trade Ja Morant this offseason. However, what if no one wants him?
NBA analyst Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report believes the Memphis Grizzlies' worst fear this offseason involves Ja Morant.
The Grizzlies are expected to trade Morant this summer. However, what if no one wants the point guard?
"In a worst-case scenario, interested teams will drive such a hard bargain that the Grizzlies will be better off keeping or buying out Morant, outcomes the team should desperately want to avoid," Hughes wrote.
In 20 games for Memphis this regular 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 3 and 89.7% from the free-throw line.
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 the guard with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Murray State.
A two-time All-Star, Morant still hasn't gotten over the Grizzlies suspending 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.
Since Morant doesn't have a no-trade clause, he can't control where the Grizzlies trade him.
Morant will make $42.1 million next season and $44 million in the 2027-28 season, the final year of his contract.
The Grizzlies want to part ways with Morant this summer, but they can't get greedy. They will likely not get a grand return for Morant and that's something the front office must accept, no matter how difficult it is.
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