Ja Morant’s rocky start to the season has quickly become the league’s hottest topic. The two-time All-Star was suspended one game after remarks the Grizzlies deemed ‘detrimental to the team’ following a public exchange with coach Tuomas Iisalo.
Asked about his struggles, Morant told reporters to “go ask the coaching staff,” and when pressed about his joy for the game he replied, “No.” Through seven games he’s averaging 20.4 points and posting career-low shooting numbers, with minutes down to 29.4 per contest.
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The fallout has prompted trade speculation. Sam Amick of The Athletic reports the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings are both “monitoring” Morant’s situation. For Minnesota, adding a dynamic guard to pair with Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert could accelerate a title push.
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Sacramento, meanwhile, could see Morant as a long-term cornerstone after dealing De’Aaron Fox. The Houston Rockets, despite needing a point guard after Fred VanVleet’s torn ACL, are reportedly unlikely to pursue him.
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The Minnesota Timberwolves are monitoring Ja Morant’s situation in Memphis, per @sam_amick
“The Minnesota Timberwolves, per a team source, are one. Ditto for the Sacramento Kings. The Grizzlies’ next opponent, the Houston Rockets, need a point guard after losing Fred Van Vleet… pic.twitter.com/o4MZyMmViD
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 5, 2025
Not everyone is sold on a trade. ESPN’s Marc J. Spears relayed that “four of the execs I talked to today say they really have no interest in trading for him,” pointing to contract issues and off-court concerns. That skepticism, coupled with Memphis’ need for a box-office player amid attendance worries and an unsettled arena lease, reduces the likelihood of a quick deal.
Coach Iisalo says the team is shifting to a higher-intensity, pace-oriented system: “Basketball is evolving and the demands on the intensity are higher and higher.” That approach with shorter stints and tighter rotations appears to have created friction. Commentator Kendrick Perkins suggested Morant might benefit from a fresh start in Miami, saying he needs “that Erik Spoelstra–Pat Riley–Miami Heat type of structure.”
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For now, the Grizzlies haven’t indicated they’ll trade him. But with multiple suitors watching, the situation bears close attention and could change if Memphis decides the stakes are too high to hold on.
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