ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Friday that the Grizzlies are entertaining trade offers for Ja Morant and will consider moving the two-time All-Star point guard prior to the February 5 deadline.
Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com hears from sources who say the 26-year-old still feels miffed about the team-issued one-game suspension he received at the beginning of the season. In the wake of that suspension, Morant told opposing players and some of his former coaches that he no longer wanted to play for Memphis, according to Wright.
Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal says Morant has not requested a trade (Twitter link), but the distinction might not matter much if the Grizzlies are open to dealing him anyway. For what it’s worth, Morant is present at Friday’s game vs. Oklahoma City, tweets Cole.
Here’s more on Morant:
- The ESPN.com story that includes the sourced notes from Wright is largely centered on trade ideas involving Morant, who is under contract through 2027/28. Insiders Zach Kram and Kevin Pelton pitch theoretical trades, and those proposals are evaluated by former front office executive Bobby Marks. A deal that sends Immanuel Quickley, Ochai Agbaji and Toronto’s top-14 protected 2026 first-round pick to Memphis and Morant to the Raptors is the most appealing trade for the Grizzlies, in Marks’ view.
- Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca (Twitter link) is skeptical that the Raptors would have much interest in Morant, however, pointing out that head coach Darko Rajakovic is close to Taylor Jenkins, who was fired by the Grizzlies toward the end of last season. Rajakovic was an assistant under Jenkins in Memphis for three seasons prior to landing Toronto’s head coaching job.
- In a subscriber-only story for The Memphis Commercial Appeal, Cole lists five potential landing spots for Morant, including the Timberwolves, Heat and Bucks.
- Morant missed his fourth straight game on Friday due to a right calf contusion. However, unlike the previous three games, when he was initially deemed questionable before being downgraded, he was immediately ruled out for Friday’s contest. Asked before the game whether Morant had experienced a setback, head coach Tuomas Iisalo said “no,” as Cole relays (via Twitter).
It’s never a good move to trade for knuckleheads hoping they aren’t going to continue being knuckleheads. Hard pass
They can get one used coach and a 2015 Chevy Blazer.
Sorry meant used couch
The Chevy has new floor mats, so it might be worth it.
Yeah, but the floor mats say “Chevy” on them.
Why would they trade Ja for a lesser point guard in IQ and a mid first round pick?
Memphis have Spencer, Pippen Jr, Vinny Williams and Ty Jerome. Quickly isn’t even a major upgrade on them.
For.matching salary and he’s no slouch. Would probably do better with more volume shooting.
He’d add depth to a position they don’t need and his contract is terrible. It would be a bad deal
Why? Because yoh get rid of Ja Morant without giving up picks yourself.
You are even getting one, which was not the case for Trae Young.
In my view no team should give up draft equity for Morant. And don’t see who should trade for him.
Bc its Ja 2026, not Ja from 2022, he’s lucky to even get a frp for him at this point.
I like Ja as a player. He should be a Grizz for a long time. (Oh and The Grizzlies name doesn’t belong in Memphis) no no no ……. I do like the name.
Ja is immature and new money hasn’t helped his development as a man. Probably the best thing for him to go some other place. And start anew. He has real talent. Don’t blow it kid …..
Toronto is a good place for him. That pick has to be unprotected. Has to be. Not going to be a lottery pick anyway.
I find it highly unlikely that they’re are any 17th century British Monarchy supporters in Cleveland, yet they still have the Cavaliers.
Sports names are localized. They just fit that city better. What does a Grizzly have to do with Memphis. And no the Lakers aren’t the same. No one cared about basketball then. Lakers made their bones in LA. Hornets did it right. City’s should own the names when teams leave.
@ Al…should own the Larry O’Brien won in said city too. Unless you’re called the Lakers of course, lol.
Never been to LA. They must have something sacred to city. A name is pride for city lol.
100% wrong about sports names being localized. In the age of the internet, you want something that isn’t shared, and is going to be first on the search results. For instance, people want the Jazz in New Orleans, try looking up New Orleans Jazz. First it would be buried in the results, second, they couldn’t trademark the name, as New Orleans Jazz is a generic category. I’m just saying this is why teams have off the wall names.
He meant they belong in Vancouver if I’m not mistaken.
Grizzlies are a big animal. Can reach 1500 lbs. i like the name and Bear……..
Cavaliers Uniform and Logo History | Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers were named through a 1970 newspaper contest, with winner Jerry Tomko suggesting “Cavaliers” to evoke “daring, fearless men” who never surrender, symbolizing bravery and honor for the new NBA team, winning out over names like Jays and Presidents.
My point is what does matter? Teams names are just that, they’re names. There are no Bengal Tigers in Cincinnati, there’s no lions in Detroit, barely any Bulls in the Chicago and certainly no living dinosaurs in Toronto. At least there are a lot bears in Tennessee, even if they aren’t Grizzlies.
There are names that matter. That has ties and history to cities and fans. The Raptors were riding the wave of the movie. Its appeal to a massive audience and youth. Pure capitalism. Still a cool name. Colts name should have stayed in Baltimore. It’s respectful to the city and fan base. They should decide if the name stays.
In the 40s Cleveland had a team called the Rebels, when no one was rebelling.
You can have all the talent in the world but Ja has shown a lack of maturity and hasn’t grown up or learned from his consequence and discipline from his previous encounters. He is still doing the samething. So question? What makes you think he will be different? You think a different team or will change him? Were I’m standing as long as he is the man of the team he has shown no remorse or change in his behavior.
He has to grow up sometime. A new place, new surroundings help. New beginnings.
How he is still doing gun gestures. Dad arguing on the side. Getting into with players. Often hurt and not on the floor. A trade is going to change your character and who you are. I think not. Again it’s the problem with young players getting paid so much early. Jordan said this earlier this year. Not everyone is LeBron and can receive that much money and still want to dominate.
Look at Zion another only fans girl pregnant. Your off court affects on the court. It shows your more focused on woman than taking care of your body and focusing on the game. I hope these young brothers get it together but you got to build roots and take responsibility without blaming your team.
This is where you and I. Will never see I to I👀.
A persons character does change. Especially when its been corrupted young. Plenty of players have come from worse places than Ja. And grew to be great men cause of sports and their talent. I would go as far to say much more than those who failed. Moving away from bad influences to new surroundings help. I have seen it plenty of times.
You who Alcindor and the The Goat is. Their story says how talent and men choose in life. Not too late for Ja. A trade might wake him up.
I never said that you can’t change. I never said that people’s character don’t change. As far as I’m concerned. There’s not many people in their twenties who are complete adults as they should be in their 40s, 50s and ’60s. So of course just over to the course of time you’re going to change. What I asked is he doesn’t want to be in Memphis anymore so a trade is pretty much welcomed at this time. He’s going to still continue to get paid the same amount of money that he’s getting paid his behavior even though he has faced consequences as in getting suspended losing money has not changed. So my question is how is the change of scenery going to change his behavior when he hasn’t changed it already or taken any steps to become a better young man?. At this point you’re kind of just arguing with yourself because you’re making a point to try to make your post look better of something. We already agree on that. Who can change?. What I’m saying is we are actively watching jaw, continue to still do the same behaviors. Continue to still be cocky continue to still not listen to the coaches. Continue to still not be a leader and all of a sudden a change of scenery supposed to change him overnight. That’s not hollow works
You are still off. No one is talking about 40, 50, 60. You just gave yourself away. You don’t believe he can change. Change happens at all ages. Even when you become a teenager. Ja is 26 and has made bad decisions. New money can do that to him and his whole family. He can be an uneducated fool and do it himself. Or just a bad human being. Point is he has time to change.
You going to make this about me again. Just don’t respond to me. Save your breath. I could care less if he makes it or not. Or care if he’s broke in ten yrs. His life doesn’t affect my life in any way at. I wish him the best like I would any human being.
You need attention lol. Get a dog. He will give you all the attention you want.
I’m just here to talk ball. not here to watch folks fail or root for their demise. No one who has the chance Ja has NOW in life. Should blow it or fail at it. Life doesn’t give talent to everybody. You can root for his failure all you want.
Again, this is the last I’m going to say of this to change. You have to start changing. You don’t just click overnight and change when you build bad habits. It’s like having a garden full of weeds. You have to pull up the roots of the weeds. You don’t just plant fruit and other things in a bad garden so it’s just a terrible analogy for you. I’m not saying that teenagers and people don’t change. What I’m saying is that some change takes years and some change takes little small habits to create and fully be able to trust that you change. Ja hasn’t shown the ability to do any of that. So you’re correct. I’m going to bet on him not changing as of right now. I hope he does. I want him to prove me wrong but the way he acts his. I got money and you want to know the number. One thing I learned about money all money does is amplify any problems that you have?. If you’re selfish when you’re broke, you’ll be selfish with money if you have an attitude problem when you’re broke you’ll have an attitude problem with money. If you try to show off and make stupid decisions when you’re broke, guess what you’re going to do when you have money do the exact same thing. It’s just only going to be amplified so new money has nothing to do with anything. I grew up poor and broke and I’m in my thirties. I’m not 4050 and 60 money. Just amplifies any issue you have
Again thats why you and I will never agree. I said this days ago ……. You just can’t believe I can be real.
I don’t root or care for any player to fail. I let them do it on their own. You and ALL the haters can hate all you want. It’s your life. I don’t care if YOU ever change.
I am here for the sport the game. The good and the bad of it. I root for my team. I root for players to get better. I root for good talent to become great talent. I root for comebacks. I root for the underdogs. All about the game. Rest is just noise.
bulls should trade for ja & zion.
Maybe they could also get LaVine back. Then they would really be cooking with gas.
How would the Bulls send out $80 million?
Unless your comment was meant as this..,
“bulls should trade for ja & zion, lol !!”
Then, yes, ha ha.
i believe the bulls have a manageable cap and most of their picks. its obviously a pipe dream but with both players seemingly being sold low it seems worth a look.
Heat? Ja Morant can get to the rim like nobody else – except for SGA – but he needs to go someplace where he can learn a little about winning. Talent only gets you so far.
I’m not sure Florida is the right environment for someone that acts the way he does.
The player formerly known as Ja could do that. But Because of injuries, he’ll change his game with his new team because they want to keep him on the floor and thus they’ll make adjustments.
Then of course, a large part of his separation ability will be gone and with his poor shooting and decision-making, he’ll actually just be a guy out there.
This is the reason for the low return regarding this guy and it’s saying nothing about the off the court maintenance required.
This.