Report: Wolves, Pelicans, Kings Not Pursuing Ja Morant Trade With Grizzlies

According to multiple reports, the Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings are not pursuing a Ja Morant trade with the Memphis Grizzlies. 

The Grizzlies want to trade Morant this offseason, but the point guard may not have any suitors. 

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 past 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 with Dillon Brooks, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane by his side. Morant's play and rep around the NBA have taken big hits since 2023. 

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. 

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 past season for conduct detrimental to the team.

The Grizzlies have the third pick in the draft. They will take BYU's AJ Dybantsa, Kansas's Darryn Peterson or Duke's Cameron Boozer. Most people expect Memphis to land Boozer. 

According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Grizzlies are hopeful that Morant becomes some team's Plan B now that Giannis Antetokounmpo has been traded. The Milwaukee Bucks traded Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat. 

It will be interesting to see where Morant is playing next season. Since Morant doesn't have a no-trade clause, he can't control where the Grizzlies trade him.