Ja Morant
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Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant during a game against the Phoenix Suns in March 2025
The Memphis Grizzlies are confronting a sobering reality as league executives increasingly settle on what a realistic trade market for Ja Morant would look like.
While Morant remains one of the NBA’s most recognizable stars, recent reports suggest that Memphis may be forced to significantly adjust expectations if they ultimately decide to trade their franchise guard.
Rather than a return centered on premium draft capital or high-end young talent, the prevailing belief around the league is that any Morant trade would be driven primarily by financial considerations and modest upside plays.
That shift marks a clear departure from the two-time All-Star’s perceived value just a few seasons ago and places the Grizzlies in a difficult strategic position as they evaluate the next stage of their roster construction.
Memphis Grizzlies Facing a Narrowing Trade Landscape
According to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo! Sports, there’s little expectation that Morant’s market will be meaningfully stronger than the one that recently developed for Trae Young.
In that deal, the Atlanta Hawks prioritized salary relief over long-term assets, sending Young to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum’s expiring contract and role player Corey Kispert, with no draft capital included.
Front offices are said to view Morant through a similar lens, seeing a high-usage guard on a significant long-term contract whose value is constrained by durability concerns, financial commitment and questions of roster fit.
“Executives around the league say the Grizzlies are signaling a willingness to take on bad contracts, if it means being compensated with young players or picks,” reports O’Connor. “But the Grizzlies aren’t going to get that much for Morant.”
“Think pick swaps, not unprotected firsts. Think moderate bets on rookie contracts, not exciting young players. Even getting those assets might require Memphis to take on bad money in return.”
Earlier reporting from Shams Charania of ESPN indicated that multiple teams had engaged in exploratory discussions with Memphis, with the Grizzlies initially prioritizing draft capital and young players in any potential return.
As the market has taken shape, there are signs that what Memphis may be seeking could differ from what rival teams are currently willing to offer.
Performance, Availability and Contract Limit Leverage
Morant’s recent injury history and off-court issues have further complicated his standing, with some believing the relationship between the player and franchise may already be beyond repair.
Those concerns have been amplified by the Grizzlies’ on-court results. Memphis have been more competitive in games Morant has missed this season than in those he has played, a contrast that has fueled broader league skepticism.
From an individual standpoint, Morant’s production has also trended downward. Through 18 appearances, he’s averaging 19.0 points and 7.6 assists in 28.3 minutes per game while posting career-low shooting marks from both the field and three-point range.
O’Connor also outlined the limited pool of teams viewed as realistic Morant suitors.
“There are only three kinds of Ja buyers,” he wrote. “Stuck-in-the-middle teams hunting a shortcut, desperate franchises and gamblers that think their structure can fix any talent.”
None of those categories typically include franchises positioned to surrender premium assets without heavy protections.
Morant’s contract remains a central obstacle as well. He’s signed 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 further narrows the list of realistic suitors.
Teams such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves have been mentioned as ones to monitor, while John Hollinger of The Athletic has floated the Brooklyn Nets as a potential dark-horse option in a more complex scenario involving Michael Porter Jr.
Still, league consensus suggests any Morant trade would be driven by pragmatism rather than star power, with salary matching, undesirable contracts and rotational pieces far more likely than a franchise-altering return.