Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman is unsure if star guard Ja Morant will play again this season.
During Friday’s press conference, discussing a variety of topics, including trading Jaren Jackson Jr., Kleiman was asked about Morant’s status for the rest of the season. He noted how it will be a medical decision.
“It’s a medical determination,” Kleinman said.
Kleiman also said that he would not commit to saying Morant would play again for the team this season. In addition, Kleiman said he does not have an update on his rehab yet and said he will continue to have honest conversations with Morant.
Morant is currently dealing with a left elbow UCL sprain that he suffered in late January in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks. He is set to be re-evaluated around the All-Star break.
The former Rookie of the Year was at the forefront of trade rumors as speculations ran wild.
The Grizzlies were one of the more active teams in the league at the deadline. After dealing Jackson Jr. to Utah, the expectation was that they’d also trade the two-time All-Star guard. However, Morant was not dealt, and that may have had to do with the rough market that is out there for the 26-year-old.
Prior to the trade deadline, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon noted on NBA Today mere hours before the deadline on Thursday.
“They [the Grizzlies] were able to get a bundle of picks for Desmond Bane, same thing for Jaren Jackson Jr., that is not there for Ja Morant,” MacMahon said. “In fact, he may have negative trade value in the trade market because of the risk, because he has two max years left on his contract…”
“It has been a rough market for Ja, and there’s no signs that’s changing.”
Will Ja Morant be With the Grizzlies Next Season?
The next apparent move for Morant and the Grizzlies is that the team will look to revisit trade talks during the 2026 summer. Joe Vardon of The Athletic shared in his latest column.
“Memphis intends to trade Morant over the summer, according to league sources. The team has the patience for any short-term pain that keeping him past the deadline may cause. Don't view the Grizzlies' non-action on him as a change in direction,” Vardon wrote.
As things stand for the South Carolina native, there is virtually no market for him, as he is constantly getting injured and getting into trouble off the court.
Newsweek