The Memphis Grizzlies have been entertaining offers to trade star Ja Morant, but his latest injury may complicate things.
The Memphis Grizzlies have changed courses this season as they’ve looked to entertain trade offers for the first time for star guard Ja Morant. Rather than build around the face of their franchise, the Grizzlies are now considering moving their former No. 2 overall pick. Morant’s value on the court is undeniable, but he’s not available often enough due to repeated injuries along with off-court incidents. His latest injury is a UCL sprain in his left elbow, with ESPN now reporting that he’s expected to miss at least three weeks – which will keep him off the court through the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
When healthy, his resume will make teams give Memphis a call. However, that conversation shifts with the reality of his injuries, including the latest one, and teams have apparently been lukewarm on the trade market with nothing substantial transpiring yet. His UCL sprain certainly won’t entice more teams to pick up the phone. It was just Morant’s second game back after a stretch of missing games due to a calf contusion. He’s only played in 79 contests since the start of the 2023-24 season, and when the best ability is availability, Morant is just lacking it.
Here is the full story from Grizzlies Roundtable writer Nitish on talks cooling off with the latest injury complication.
There’s just no urgency for either a suitor or Memphis to pick up talks now, with no incentive to make a strong play for a star that can’t stay on the court, especially with him set to be evaluated in three weeks after the deadline has passed. There shouldn’t be any expectations of a fire sale, but the Grizzlies might re-evaluate what they can truly get in return for a player who struggles to stay healthy and stay out of off-court issues.