One NBA analyst believes Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant has "negative trade value." Find out why.
In a story called "5 NBA Stars With Negative Trade Value," NBA analyst Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report named Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant.
Morant will make $42.1 million next season and $44 million in the 2027-28 season, the final year of his contract.
"No team is giving up positive assets to acquire a non-shooting, defense-averse, undersized guard who can't stay healthy," Hughes wrote. "He also comes with a history of suspension-worthy off-court decisions and hasn't made any meaningful improvements to his game in a half-decade. Morant can flip the narrative next year, but it won't be easy."
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 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.
Morant has career averages of 22.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. 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.
It will be intriguing to see where Morant is playing next season. He's been linked to the Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings in trade rumors.
Since Morant doesn't have a no-trade clause, he can't control where the Grizzlies trade him.
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