The Memphis Grizzlies are reportedly entertaining trade offers for Ja Morant ahead of the February 5 NBA trade deadline, but a key detail is getting lost as the rumors spread: Morant has not asked for a trade, according toCommercial Appeal Grizzlies beat writer Damichael Cole.
Damichael Cole
To this point, one of the keys is entertaining offers. I have not been led to believe that a trade is a forgone conclusion, but this is a stark contrast from when Zach Kleiman said Morant wouldn’t be traded 11 months ago. Morant has not asked for a trade.
That matters because it suggests this isn’t a classic “star demands out” situation — at least not right now — even if Memphis is doing something it previously refused to do: listen.
Is Ja Morant Getting Traded?
Cole noted that Morant “has not asked for a trade,” while emphasizing the Grizzlies are still at the stage of “entertaining offers,” not publicly signaling a teardown or a done deal.
In other words, the reporting points to a front office weighing possibilities, not Morant forcing a move.
Why “Entertaining Offers” Is a Big Shift for Memphis
If this feels sudden, it’s because it is, especially compared to what Memphis leadership was saying less than a year ago.
In February 2025, Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman publicly pushed back on trade speculation involving Morant, dismissing the chatter and making it clear the team wasn’t interested in moving its franchise guard.
Now, ESPN’s reporting says Memphis has engaged other teams and is listening on Morant for the first time, with rival executives believing the Grizzlies would prioritize draft picks and young players in return.
That doesn’t mean the Grizzlies aredefinitely trading him, but it does mean the “unthinkable” conversation is no longer off-limits.
What It Means for the Grizzlies (and Why Fans Should Watch the Next 2 Weeks)
For Memphis, this looks like leverage and optionality.
If teams are calling with major packages, the Grizzlies can:
test Morant’s market without committing to anything,
set a sky-high price and see who bites,
or use the interest to evaluate whether their timeline needs a reset.
The ESPN report notes multiple teams have expressed interest as the deadline approaches.
For fans refreshing Google every hour, the biggest “tell” to watch for isn’t another vague rumor; it’s whether a major reporter links the talks to specific teams or uses language like “serious traction,” “framework,” or “advanced.”
Contract and Deadline Context for Ja Morant
One reason Morant’s name is sticky in search is the money and timeline.
Morant is in the third season of a five-year, $197 million deal and is eligible for a three-year, $178 million extension this summer.
That creates a clear decision window:
Memphis can keep him and potentially extend him,
or explore whether a blockbuster return (picks + young talent) fits their long-term plan better.
Ja Morant Trade Destinations
Morant has been publicly linked to the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings, among others. Ultimately, a team will find the right trade for Morant if they’re willing to take on his off-court antics (“Ja Morant guns” is still a very common search term) that come with his on-court genius.
Whatever teams think of Morant, it’s clear the markets for point guards is at an interesting position after Trae Young’s trade from Atlanta to Washington D.C. That market could affect Morant’s.
Either way, Cole’s point is important for the moment: this is not being framed as Morant asking out, it’s being framed as the Grizzlies listening.