Grizzlies Stand Pat, Keep Ja Morant After Quiet Trade Deadline
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MEMPHIS — Ja Morant is staying with the Memphis Grizzlies after Thursday’s NBA trade deadline came and went without a deal for the two-time All-Star guard.
League sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania that several franchises explored the possibility of acquiring Morant, but none submitted a serious offer. The interest was described as lukewarm, in part because of questions about Morant’s availability. Since the start of the 2023-24 campaign, he has appeared in only 79 games and has missed 20 of Memphis’ 49 contests this season due to suspensions and injuries.
The 26-year-old is currently sidelined by an ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his left elbow and is scheduled for reevaluation three weeks after the team’s Jan. 24 announcement. Before the injury, he was averaging 19.5 points, 8.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds while shooting career lows of 41.0% from the field and 23.5% from three-point range.
Memphis began listening to trade inquiries for Morant in January. Two days before the deadline, the Grizzlies sent Jaren Jackson Jr., Jock Landale, John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr. to the Utah Jazz, receiving Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three first-round picks. The move also generated a $28.8 million trade exception, the largest in league history, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
That significant roster shake-up fueled speculation about a broader rebuild, but the front office ultimately retained Morant. The guard has two years and $87 million left on his contract after this season.
Morant said last month that he hopes to stay in Memphis, pointing to a tattoo of the Grizzlies’ logo on his back as evidence of his commitment. “If anybody in here knows me, I’m a very loyal guy,” he told reporters.
The Grizzlies could revisit trade scenarios involving Morant during the offseason.
Source: ESPN
