Beyond Miami, another Eastern Conference powerhouse actively pursued Ja Morant, believing a dynamic Giannis-and-Ja pairing was possible.
When Ja Morant’s season veered off course amid internal friction and injury setbacks, it fueled widespread speculation that his long-term future with the Memphis Grizzlies was in jeopardy.
The former Rookie of the Year endured repeated controversy involving members of the coaching staff and teammates, while also missing significant time during the first half of the 2025-26 campaign due to injuries. Around the league, executives began to wonder whether Memphis would eventually pivot toward a reset — and whether Morant would be available at the right price.
Despite persistent chatter leading up to the trade deadline, no deal materialized. At the time, it was widely believed that only the Miami Heat had explored Morant’s availability in any meaningful capacity. However, fresh reporting suggests another Eastern Conference contender conducted more serious due diligence.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, writing in the Feb. 22 edition of Marc Stein’s Substack, the Milwaukee Bucks were viewed by rival front offices as having legitimate interest in Morant before the deadline.
“One scenario that has to be filed away – for all the justified questions about fit – is the prospect of Milwaukee trading for Morant,” Fischer wrote. “Numerous teams came away from the deadline believing that the Bucks’ interest in Morant was genuine… whether that was to install him as their eventual successor to Antetokounmpo as Face of the Franchise or because they believe they could actually make a Giannis-and-Ja pairing work.”
That possibility carries significant implications.
The Bucks, built around two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, have been under increasing pressure to maximize their championship window. Antetokounmpo has made it clear in recent years that competing for titles remains his primary focus. Any organizational move that signals stagnation risks testing that commitment.
Pursuing Morant — a dynamic, high-usage guard capable of bending defenses and elevating transition play — would represent an aggressive swing. It would also be a calculated gamble. While Morant remains one of the league’s most explosive playmakers when healthy, concerns about durability and off-court turbulence complicate the evaluation.
Milwaukee’s roster construction adds another layer to the equation. The Bucks have slipped out of the Play-In picture in the Eastern Conference standings, underscoring the need for structural change. Although young pieces like Ryan Rollins offer developmental upside, none project as a transformative co-star alongside Antetokounmpo in the near term.
Financially, any acquisition of Morant would require substantial maneuvering. He is owed more than $80 million over the next two seasons, a figure that would strain flexibility in an increasingly restrictive cap environment. Beyond salary matching, Milwaukee would likely need to part with meaningful depth and draft capital — a steep price for a franchise already navigating limited asset reserves.
For Memphis, the calculus is equally complex. If the Grizzlies ultimately determine that Morant no longer aligns with their long-term vision, maximizing return value becomes paramount. Deadline interest — even exploratory — can serve as groundwork for offseason negotiations.
Whether Milwaukee revisits those discussions this summer remains uncertain. What Fischer’s reporting clarifies, however, is that the Bucks’ interest was not idle speculation. It was viewed leaguewide as genuine — a signal that Morant’s market, should Memphis choose to engage it, may extend further than previously assumed.