Two-time All-Star Ja Morant was among the most notable trade candidates who wasn’t on the move this week, but the Grizzlies‘ decision to hang onto him after trading away Jaren Jackson Jr. shouldn’t be viewed as a change in the team’s direction, writes Joe Vardon of The Athletic.
League sources tell Vardon that the Grizzlies will revisit Morant trade talks during the 2026 offseason and intend to move him at that time.
Vardon’s report comes as no surprise. Memphis acquired a total of seven first-round picks and a first-round swap in trades involving Desmond Bane (last summer) and Jackson (on Tuesday), and has clearly pivoted to rebuilding around its younger core, led by Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, and Jaylen Wells.
Still, it will be interesting to see how Memphis handles Morant in the next couple months. The 26-year-old is currently sidelined due to a sprained elbow, but that injury likely isn’t significant enough to end his season.
The Grizzlies – who have slipped out of the play-in picture at 20-29 – may be inclined to tank down the stretch in the hopes of maximizing their draft lottery position, which could mean holding out Morant for longer than they normally would. But they’ll have to weigh the merit of that approach against the possible benefits of reinserting the point guard into their lineup and giving him the opportunity to rebuild his trade value — at least to some extent.
Chris Mannix of SI.com wrote earlier this week that “availability, attitude and diminished production” are among the concerns potential suitors had about Morant, and it’s safe to assume his maximum-salary contract – which will pay him $87MM for the two seasons after this one – is another red flag. He wouldn’t be able to assuage all of those concerns with a strong finish to the season, but it might help improve offers from potential trade partners this summer.
Those offers were reportedly too underwhelming for the Grizzlies to seriously consider making a deal prior to Thursday’s deadline, despite the fact that they signaled they’d be willing to take on long-term salary if it came attached to stronger draft compensation.
The Heat, Kings, Bucks, and Timberwolves were linked to Morant this week. That list of possible suitors could grow – or at least change – this summer, depending on which direction certain teams take and which clubs become more motivated to shake up their rosters as a result of early postseason exits.
I think Ja is the Bucks plan for keeping Giannis. Use some draft capital they picked up and Kuzma and Portis (likely to a 3rd team).
Add that and a high level player in the draft, with Rollins. Maybe you’ve got something.
Turner
Giannis
Draft Pick
Ja
Rollins
They in fact do not have something
If that’s Milwaukee’s plan, I understand why Giannis wants nothing to do with it.
I don’t think you understand for the next 2 years until the contracts all reset. Giannis isn’t going to go anywhere where it’s going to be any different from Milwaukee. In order to match the salary and stay out of the second apron or the first apron, the team is going to have to give up significant amount of players. On top of that he’s injury prone. And then the Milwaukee’s also going to want draft capital. If he ops out and goes to free agency, what team is going to have $40 million on their books to offer him the contract and still have a good team. The new new rules punish Superstars for leaving their team. It’s meant for them to stay on their teams for years and years and build. It’s part Milwaukee’s fault. It’s part Giannis fault. Unless he had went to Washington and waited till next year where destination can he go to?
Everybody keeps saying Miami but how would Miami be any different if they made that trade? Bam is a little bit of an upgrade over Turner. You’re giving up! Taylor hero.
New York. They’re not going to take cat so then you would have to give up some form of OG all your pics and a bunch of your other players which will leave you with no bench. Plus they really don’t have the pics.
And last but not least the warriors. Unless they want to just go for picks but then after that what team will they have? They will have no bench players because they’ll have three Max contracts being the second apron and have to fill the rest of the roster with minimum players.
So although everybody hates how their salary dumping people, this is just the fix until all the bloated contracts get out of the NBA. After that happens, we’re going to start seeing good basketball again because players will have to play for contracts instead of just me handing them
I would’ve traded Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr(maybe a draft pick or 2 included) for Giannis.
Apparently the best return they could possibly get for Ja Morant are some potato chips
Dump him onto the Wizards!
Nah Wizards actually look decent now. Besides, they have enough guys to try and prop up and keep healthy in Trae and AD. And honestly, as a Black guy I think I can say this, keep Ja away from cities with a bunch of black strip clubs. He needs to be somewhere without too much nightlife and distractions. Send him to Utah and keys see how many of his crew want to join him… haha. joking.
Racist jokes are back, finally!
I wonder at the sense of making what seems a categorical “he’s going to be traded” comment? How hard will Ja play now? How dedicated will the rest of the team be regarding the white flag going up like this?
Sky Is Blue! This particular soap opera doesn’t seem like it is going to have a redemptive narrative arc. I actually think Morant could turn it around, but he hasn’t really shown any indication that he will. The Heat would probably be the best place for him.
I’m surprised the Rockets didn’t make a play here, or anywhere else to get a point guard.
That picture is Ja’s answer to “how many teams were interested in trading for me”?
I hear the Bulls are looking for a PG. :D
It’s the bulls new motto: “In guard we trust”.