Report: Pelicans, Kings Could Trade for Grizzlies' Ja Morant

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the New Orleans Pelicans or Sacramento Kings could trade for Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. 

The Grizzlies are expected to trade Morant this summer. 

Since Morant doesn't have a no-trade clause, he can't control where the Grizzlies trade him this offseason. 

Morant will make $42.1 million next season and $44 million in the 2027-28 season, the final year of his contract.

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 one time. That was back in 2022 with Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane by his side.

Many NBA execs and scouts believe Morant is better suited to be the No. 2 option on a playoff team, not the No. 1 guy. 

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.

The Grizzlies tried to trade Morant in February but couldn't find the right deal. That is expected to change this summer. 

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' suspension of him earlier this season for conduct detrimental to the team.

Memphis is expected to trade Morant before the 2026 NBA Draft. Let's see where Ja is playing next season.

The Grizzlies have the third pick in the draft. They will probably take BYU's AJ Dybantsa, Kansas's Darryn Peterson or Duke's Cameron Boozer.

Along with the Pelicans and Kings, Morant has been linked to the Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks and Minnesota Timberwolves in trade rumors. 

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