The Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves remain focused on Ja Morant’s status while the Memphis Grizzlies wait for their All-Star guard to recover from a right calf strain, league sources told The Athletic’s Sam Amick.
Amick reported that both Western Conference clubs, which had already been tracking the situation, plan to “continue to do so” until Morant is back on the court. Memphis has not issued a firm timetable, though the initial estimate pointed to an early-December return.
Even without Morant, the Grizzlies have stayed competitive. The team sits at 9-12, holding ninth place in the West. From the bench, Morant has been vocal and engaged, a presence head coach Tuomas Iisalo called a “huge advantage” for the locker room. “He’s asking me questions and giving tips to the guys,” Iisalo said, crediting Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and the club’s veterans for strong leadership.
The 24-year-old guard has appeared in 12 games this season, averaging 17.9 points, 7.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 35.9 percent from the field and 16.7 percent from three-point range. His contract pays $39.4 million this season, $42.2 million in 2024-25 and $44.9 million in 2027-28.
Morant, the 2020 NBA Rookie of the Year, has guided Memphis to the second round of the playoffs once in his career. With trade speculation swirling and the Grizzlies trying to stay in the postseason picture, executives around the league are expected to watch his impending return closely.
Source: Hoops Wire
