Ja Morant
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Ja Morant during a game against the New York Knicks in November 2025
The Memphis Grizzlies are coming to terms with a difficult reality as the trade market around Ja Morant begins to crystallize.
While the two-time All-Star remains one of the league’s most recognizable names, early indications suggest that his trade value may be far more modest than many around the league once assumed.
Initial reporting from Shams Charania of ESPN stated that multiple teams had entered exploratory talks with Memphis, with the Grizzlies prioritizing draft capital and young players in any potential return.
However, as the market takes shape, the gap between what Memphis may want and what they can realistically obtain has become increasingly clear.
Ja Morant Market Mirrors a Harsh Precedent
According to Evan Sidery of Forbes, Morant’s trade value is tracking closely with the recent deal that sent Trae Young from the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards.
That move, which involved CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert with no draft picks attached, was driven largely by salary relief rather than premium assets.
“Ja Morant’s overall trade value will look very similar to what the Hawks just received for Trae Young,” Sidery reported. “Due to Morant’s contract, rival executives believe the Grizzlies will be unable to net a 1st-round pick. If Memphis trades Morant, it could just come down to matching salary.”
For the Grizzlies, the comparison is sobering. Like Young, Morant is a high-usage guard on a significant contract, and while Memphis may aspire to a haul centered on picks and young talent, those expectations may not align with reality.
Injuries and off-court issues have further complicated Morant’s standing, with some around the league believing the relationship between player and franchise may already be beyond repair.
The on-court results have only fueled that conversation. Memphis are 10-9 without Morant in the lineup this season, compared to 6-12 when he plays.
Through 18 games, he’s averaging 19.0 points and 7.6 assists in 28.3 minutes per game, while shooting a career-low 40.1% from the field and 20.8 percent from three-point range.
Contract Constraints Shape Potential Trade Outcomes
Morant’s contract sits at the heart of the issue. He’s under contract through the 2027-28 season, earning $39.4 million this year, $42.1 million in 2026-27 and $44.8 million in the final year of the deal.
He’s also eligible to sign a three-year, $178 million extension this summer, a financial commitment that significantly narrows the pool of realistic suitors.
Sidery noted that the Milwaukee Bucks have emerged as an early team to monitor given their continued all-in approach around Giannis Antetokounmpo, though their ability to assemble a compelling offer remains unclear.
The Miami Heat have also been linked, though their interest hinges on whether the NBA would allow the use of Terry Rozier’s $26.6 million expiring contract for salary-matching purposes.
NBA reporter Brett Siegel has identified the Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves as additional teams to watch, while John Hollinger of The Athletic floated the Brooklyn Nets as a potential dark-horse option in a more complex framework involving Michael Porter Jr.
Still, league consensus suggests any Morant trade would be pragmatic rather than headline-grabbing. Salary matching, expiring contracts and rotational pieces appear far more likely than a franchise-altering return.
That reality leaves Memphis in an uncomfortable middle ground. If the Grizzlies ultimately move Morant, it’s increasingly clear the deal may be dictated by market constraints rather than the terms the franchise would ideally prefer.