At 16-21, the Memphis Grizzlies are currently 10th in the West. In 2025-26, all-star PG Ja Morant has appeared in just 18 of the team’s 37 games.
He’s missed time due to injury and served a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. It has been a bumpy road over the last three seasons for the 26-year-old. On Friday, January 9, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Memphis Grizzlies are “entertaining offers” for Ja Morant ahead of the trade deadline on February 5.
All signs point to the Memphis Grizzlies parting ways with Morant
Multiple teams are pursuing Morant in trade talks and rival executives believe the Grizzlies would prioritize draft picks and young players in return, sources said. Morant, 26, is under contract with the Grizzlies through the 2027-28 season. https://t.co/lkVijnLeIR
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 9, 2026
With the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, the Grizzlies selected Morant out of Murray State. Morant quickly made a name for himself in the NBA and was named Rookie of the Year in 2019-20. In 2021-22, Morant was named a first-time all-star, Most Improved Player of the Year, and second-team All-NBA. Since the end of the 2022-23 season, Morant’s future has become more grim. He’s dealt with several injuries and off-court issues that have impacted his availability over the last three years.
In the past, Morant has been the subject of trade rumors. However, the Grizzlies never showed any interest in parting ways with the all-star PG. That was until Friday, January 9. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Memphis is “entertaining offers” to potentially trade Morant. This is the first time the team has publicly stated they have intentions to part ways with Morant. Charania noted that Morant is under contract with Memphis through 2027-28.
Ja Morant all-time ranks in Memphis:
— 1st in PPG
— 2nd in APG
— 1st in playoff PPG
— 1st in playoff APGWhere next? pic.twitter.com/osxaIiHAQs
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 9, 2026
Additionally, Morant is eligible to sign a three-year, $178 million extension this summer. The 26-year-old is one of seven players in NBA history to average 22+ points and 7+ assists per game for their career. That includes Oscar Robertson, LeBron James, Luka Doncic, James Harden, Nikola Jokic, Trae Young, and Cade Cunningham. In 2025-26, Morant is shooting a career-low .401% from the field and .208% from beyond the arc.
Shams Charania said the Grizzlies are looking into several pathways to part ways with Morant. The team feels comfortable with the young talent plus the veterans they have on the roster. Charania noted that Memphis would prioritize draft capital and young players in a potential deal for Morant. After trading Desmond Bane to the Magic, the Grizzlies have nine first-round picks at their disposal. That number could grow if they part ways with Ja. After seven seasons, will his career with Memphis come to an end?
