The Grizzlies are entertaining trade offers for Ja Morant and will consider moving the star point guard prior to the February 5 trade deadline, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
According to Charania (Twitter links), multiple teams have interest in Morant and the Grizzlies are weighing “multiple paths forward,” including either keeping the two-time All-Star or trading him in order to build around Jaren Jackson Jr. and their young core. If Memphis does make a deal involving Morant, the goal would be to acquire young players and draft picks in return, Charania adds.
Morant, 26, was the NBA’s Rookie of the Year in 2020 and Most Improved Player in 2022 while making All-Star teams in both ’22 and ’23. However, his ascent to superstardom was derailed by injuries and by his off-court behavior — he was suspended twice for brandishing a firearm in videos on social media, and missed most of the 2023/24 season due to a shoulder problem.
Health issues have continued to plague Morant since the start of the 2024/25 season. He has appeared in 68 of 119 total games since then and hasn’t looked as explosive as he once did. In the past season-and-a-half, the former No. 2 overall pick has still posted solid numbers, including 22.1 points and 7.4 assists per contest, but his production has dropped across the board. He has shot just 44.1% from the floor and 28.7% on three-pointers during that time.
More to come…