Grizzlies unwilling to trade Ja Morant without overwhelming return
grizzlies-unwilling-to-trade-ja-morant-without-overwhelming-return
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Grizzlies are not open to moving guard Ja Morant unless a rival club delivers an indisputable blockbuster package, according to a report from Matt Moore of FanSided.
Sources cited by Moore said the organization “wants to make this work” with its 26-year-old centerpiece and will not entertain standard trade discussions. Any potential deal, the report added, would have to be so lopsided in Memphis’ favor that it becomes a clear-cut decision. Without that level of offer, the front office plans to keep Morant, and a trade would likely require the player to push for it himself.
The Grizzlies are 4-10 after a turbulent start to the season. Morant has already served a one-game team suspension for conduct detrimental and is now expected to miss at least two weeks because of a right calf strain.
Before the injury, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 draft averaged 17.9 points, 7.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 35.9 percent from the field. League sources told the Dallas Hoops Journal that Morant is frustrated with first-year head coach Tuomas Iisalo’s frequent wholesale substitutions, which they say have disrupted the guard’s rhythm. The relationship between player and coach was described as “not good” after Memphis replaced former coach Taylor Jenkins last offseason.
Morant is in the third season of a five-year, $197.2 million extension and will earn $39.4 million this year. The contract includes a no-trade clause, and league insiders indicated neither Morant nor his representatives have explored a trade request, despite the guard recently acknowledging he has not been playing with the usual level of joy.
Since entering the NBA, Morant has compiled career averages of 22.4 points, 7.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds but has yet to reach the conference finals. For now, Memphis intends to stay the course, though sources say the tension surrounding the situation remains.
Source: Hoops Wire
