Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant during an NBA game.
The Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant is still visibly plugged in with the organization even as the entire NBA waits on the next major domino before Thursday’s trade deadline.
Morant posted a Grizzlies-created video featuring Jaren Jackson Jr. to his Instagram story with a farewell-style caption, a social-media moment that instantly poured gasoline on the “Ja Morant trade rumors” cycle with the deadline looming. JJJ was traded to the Utah Jazz on Feb. 3.
In the post, Morant reshares the Grizzlies post, but adds a caption of “13-8” with a broken heart emoji. While it appears to be Morant being sad about the Grizzlies ending the JJJ era, it’s unclear what his full intent was with the post.
Heavy
And while speculation is loud, one thing is clear: the clock is real.nba/nba-trade-deadline-date-time-rumors/”>The 2026 NBA trade deadline is Thursday, Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. ET.
What Ja Morant’s new Grizzlies activity means right now
Morant’s post doesn’t confirm anything by itself, but itdoes land at a time when Memphis has already been tied to major roster shakeups and league insiders have been tracking Morant’s market.
ESPN’s Shams Charania previously reported the Grizzlies were entertaining trade offers for Morant ahead of the deadline. And on Jan. 24, ESPN reported Morant would miss at least three weeks with an ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his left elbow, a timeline that keeps him sidelined through the deadline.
Meanwhile, trade chatter has continued into deadline week, withMarc Stein’s “Stein Line” being cited by multiple outlets as the kind of “temperature check” teams watch closely at this stage of the calendar.
There’s also this notable detail from the ground:Damichael Cole reported on X that Morant was with the team in Sacramento on Wednesday, a reminder that – injured or not – Morant’s situation remains very much “day-to-day news,” not a player who has vanished from the picture. It also opens up the rumor mill for those wondering if Morant might just stay in Sacramento.
Ja Morant salary: what he’s owed on his current deal
Morant’s contract number is massive.
Morant is earning a $39,446,090 base salary in 2025-26,according to Spotrac. That’s a key detail in any trade conversation because it immediately shapes which contenders can realistically build a legal deal (and how many contracts/rotation pieces have to move).
Ja Morant stats: this season and career averages
Morant’s 2025-26 numbers (in limited action) still look like a lead-guard engine:
2025-26: 19.5 points, 8.1 assists, 3.3 rebounds per game (20 games).
And for the broader “stat bio” view, his career production stays strong:
Career: 22.4 points, 7.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds per game (327 games).
That’s the push-pull in one snapshot: elite resume + real-money contract + a deadline that forces action (or a very public decision not to act).
What happens next with the NBA trade deadline
The biggest thing to watch over the final hours is whether Memphis signals “retool” or “reset” with one more major move, or whether the Grizzlies ultimately treat Morant as a franchise pillar they refuse to move, even while taking calls.
Either way, the next update is likely to come fast: Thursday at 3 p.m. ET is the hard stop. Will Morant be with the Grizzlies after the deadline? Or is the start of a new chapter?