NBA front offices appear reluctant to pursue a deal for Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant, multiple league insiders said on ESPN’s “The Hoop Collective Podcast.”
During the program, reporter Tim Bontemps stated he does not expect a “robust market” if Memphis explores moving the two-time All-Star. Fellow insider Marc Spears added that several general managers expressed minimal interest in Morant as far back as last summer, when the Grizzlies quietly made every player available in trade discussions.
Spears said one active NBA head coach told him, “I’m not sure I’d want to coach him.”
Key factors dampening interest
Executives cited several reasons for the tepid demand:
- Morant is owed maximum-level salary for the next three seasons.
- The 24-year-old has already served 34 games in suspensions.
- He carries an injury history, and recent production has not shown an upward trend.
- League trends favor versatile wings over ball-dominant smaller guards.
The report noted the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings are monitoring the situation, but no serious negotiations have emerged. For now, insiders believe Morant’s value remains higher to the Grizzlies than in any potential trade package.
Source: Hoops Wire
