The Memphis Grizzlies are expected to explore the trade market for Ja Morant, but a Western Conference scout told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps on Friday that it will be difficult to get value for him.
Grizzlies Haven’t Made Ja Morant Available
The Grizzlies announced Monday that Morant will be reevaluated in two weeks after suffering a Grade 1 right calf strain in the first quarter of Saturday’s road loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Morant, 26, had been dealing with right ankle soreness prior to the calf strain. With that in mind, the team reportedly has yet to make the two-time All-Star guard available for a trade, per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
“I have not heard that Morant is available,” Windhorst revealed on The Rich Eisen Show. “I don’t know everything, and I wouldn’t say I know everything that’s going on. But I have not heard he’s available.”
A change in scenery seems necessary for Morant based on everything that has transpired.
Earlier this month, the Grizzlies issued Morant a one-game suspension due to conduct detrimental to the team. Morant served his suspension in a loss at Toronto on Nov. 2.
Morant’s suspension stemmed from a postgame exchange with coach Tuomas Iisalo after a home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Halloween night.
Iisalo reportedly challenged Morant’s leadership, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Timberwolves Inquired About Morant Trade
Appearing on SiriusXM Radio on Nov. 9, The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski said the Minnesota Timberwolves “checked in” with the Grizzlies about a potential Morant trade.
Krawczynski described the conversation as exploratory, stating Minnesota is “testing the waters a little bit” to see if a deal could be reached before this season’s trade deadline.
But there’s a problem with this story right from the get-go.
If the Grizzlies did approve such a trade, tax apron restrictions would make it difficult for Minnesota to acquire Morant, who is earning $39.5 million this season and is in the third year of a five-year, $197.2 million contract.
Per Spotrac, Morant is also slated to earn $42.16 million next season and as much as $44.88 million in 2027-28. His deal also includes a 15% trade bonus.
It should be noted that Morant’s contract doesn’t include a no-trade clause. This means the Grizzlies would be able to move the Murray State product if the front office decides to pivot in another direction.
Injuries, Suspensions Have Limited Morant
In 12 games (all starts) this season, Morant has averaged just 17.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 1.0 steals, and a career-low 28.8 minutes per contest. He’s also shooting only 35.9% from the field and 16.7% from deep.
In Memphis’ 128-122 season-opener victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Oct. 22, he recorded a season-high 35 points on 13-for-20 (65%) shooting from the floor and 7-of-8 (87.5%) from the foul line.
Morant hasn’t appeared in more than 61 games in any of the past four seasons, per Basketball Reference.
The seven-year veteran served an NBA suspension in 2023-24, then appeared in only nine games before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.
He was also limited to 50 games last season.
