It’s hard not to feel a sense of deja vu when it comes to a rift between Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies.
While he only missed a singular game this time, the manner in which Morant handled being called out by head coach Tuomas Iisalo and expressed his current lack of joy point toward a resigned man — and, possibly, one who has checked out on his team.
Morant hasn’t led his team to multiple NBA Finals like Jimmy Butler. He hasn’t won MVP and gone to the conference finals like James Harden. Their actions to force trades were boisterous but they also knew their on-court accomplishments had built up cachet for teams to still want them.
As Morant’s days in Memphis start to appear numbered, the question of whether he’s wanted and to what degree outside of the only franchise he’s ever known has to be asked.
Winning 56 games, earning the West’s No. 2 seed and pushing the Golden State Warriors to six games was supposed to be the start of something prosperous back in 2021-22. Now, we are nearer the beginning of the end. The NBA remains a talent business and Morant is very talented. Opposing teams in need of an upgrade will do their due diligence, evaluating whether the benefits can outweigh the risks of acquiring him.
Here are the key questions they should be asking.
Does Morant Still Have His Fastball?
Morant started off his career in spectacular fashion, thrilling fans with highlight plays en route to winning the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year. In 2021-22, he made All-NBA Second Team and was the league’s Most Improved Player. He followed that up with his second All-Star appearance in 2022-23.
At the peak of his powers, there is no guard who can get into the paint like him. Heck, he’s up there with the most dominant bigs and forwards, too. Morant’s 16.6 points in the paint per game in 2021-22 led the entire Association. His mark was more than Nikola Jokic — who earned his second straight MVP — Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James. In 2022-23, Morant finished sixth in that category among players to play at least 60 games.
Through his best years, he took around 30 percent of his shots within three feet of the basket. That number dropped to 23 percent last season and is currently at 16.4 percent through the opening seven games of 2025-26. He complained about the Grizzlies’ overhauled offense last year, which featured fewer pick-and-rolls, and now doesn’t seemed to respect Iisalo’s substitution patterns.
Morant’s best plays of 2024-25 still feature the explosive, get-you-out-of-your-seat athleticism. That must be considered when acknowledging his lack of attempts around the basket. As someone who saw the worst of Vince Carter’s time in Toronto, this reeks of a player looking for a fresh start to attack the basket with vigor again.
Any team with a bird’s eye view of Memphis’s situation will recognize his need for pick-and-rolls and rotation patterns that cater to him being in rhythm.
What Do Teams Have To Consider With Morant Off-Court?
This is where the conversation is most difficult. At best, Morant is frustrated and merely needs the right type of mentorship and guidance to be the prime version of himself. At worst, he comes across exceedingly difficult and needs to be catered to, even at the cost of team dynamics.
Potential suitors believing the latter won’t consider him as a trade option at all. There will be at least a handful of teams which believe a change of scenery and the right culture can create the ideal environment for him to thrive.
A stable coaching situation, strong veteran leadership and an alpha franchise player could be crucial elements to pursuing Morant. He needs a situation where he knows everyone has to fall in line with the head coach and there are players around him who will challenge him to get in line.
If Morant departs Memphis, he must show he can elevate himself and his team to the penthouse. What happens the next time a coach holds him accountable for lackluster energy and leadership? Great teams and great coaches don’t play favorites when it comes to demanding excellence.
Including this season, the 26-year-old has three years, $126.5 million remaining on his deal. The era of the second apron will make teams all the more prudent in pursuing a move like this.
How Will Morant’s Game Age?
Thus far, Morant has missed 102 games in his career due to injury (two because of illness). Forty-seven of those games were due to a labral tear in his shoulder. Front offices will tick a box recognizing he’s yet to suffer a major lower body injury. His high-wire act has included some nasty falls but not to the extent of costing him significant time.
Generally, players with a dependable jumper are viewed as having a better shot at longevity. That is certainly absent in Morant’s game. He’s a career 31 percent shooter from deep and there appear no concrete signs of improvement. He has also shot just 35.3 percent from 16 feet to the 3-point line. Rim pressure is the name of Morant’s game. Teams interested in his services will need to make sure there is adequate spacing around him.
Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama are spacing bigs alongside Morant currently. You’ll also want a guard who can approximate former Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane’s level of spacing.
It’s worth noting he has improved his free-throw shooting the last couple years, shooting 83.6 percent at the foul line since 2023-24. He only made 75.3 percent of his attempts from 2019-20 to 2022-23. The last thing you want is a player who attacks the basket but cannot capitalize on their free throws.
Wolves, Clippers, Kings Teams To Monitor In Morant Talks
Want an alpha who will hold Morant accountable, if need be? It’s hard to think of anyone better than Anthony Edwards. The Minnesota Timberwolves also appears to be a much more stable culture after transitioning to new ownership that prioritizes winning. Chris Finch has proven a great fit as head coach.
Finch has called out Edwards publicly in the past and the superstar embraced it. What could Morant possibly do if Finch went the same route with him? Minnesota also needs a point guard, with Mike Conley Jr. in the final phase of his career and Rob Dillingham not quite at the level necessary. There would be some work to do in matching salaries but Morant and Edwards would instantly become the league’s most athletic backcourt.
The Sacramento Kings have been floated around but this is a team with an unstable coaching situation and no real veteran leadership to hold Morant accountable. A deal for Morant would likely include DeMar DeRozan, who projects as the closest option to having a respectable voice in Morant’s ear.
The Los Angeles Clippers are very old team. This type of move could not only infuse them with youth at the point of attack but also provide a clearer path for the post-Kawhi Leonard era. Being old also means they have the veteran leadership to better manage a personality like Morant while head coach Tyronn Lue has proven very adept at navigating big personalities.
It All Comes Back To Morant’s Mindset
It’s rare to find a 26-year-old with Morant’s talent in this particular set of circumstances. He needs an overhaul to his approach and rejuvenation of the best parts of his game.
His actions appear that of a man who feels it won’t happen in Memphis. Once viewed as a future face of the league, Morant may have already eroded the belief he can be the face of even just one franchise.
Heavy is the crown and hard is the fall from grace. If he’s fortunate enough to get a second chance at being that face somewhere, it could well be the last.
