The Memphis Grizzlies are not entertaining trade offers for Ja Morant unless the deal is considered a clear, unquestionable value, sources told Matt Moore of FanSided. The team’s focus remains on making Morant’s situation work internally.
Morant, 26, is in the third year of a five-year, $197 million contract and leads Memphis with 17.9 points, 7.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game through 12 contests in the 2025-26 season. Jaren Jackson Jr. complements him with 17.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per outing.
Trade speculation around the star guard escalated last week after a reported clash with head coach Tuomas Iisalo, as well as a postgame altercation following a loss to the Lakers. Despite the tension, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst emphasized that Memphis has not made Morant available, and no active trade talks are underway.
“Have there been discussions that I have all day, every day—about transactions, about ‘Is it something people are thinking about? Could it happen?’ I have heard that,” Windhorst said on The Rich Eisen Show, adding that only a handful of teams could realistically construct a trade package that would satisfy Memphis.
Morant’s market is reportedly constrained, with many potential offers deemed “lowball” due to concerns over his inconsistent form, leadership, and off-court issues. Teams such as the Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves are monitoring the situation, while the Houston Rockets have not actively pursued him.
The Grizzlies face a delicate balancing act: trading a franchise cornerstone could reshape the identity of a small-market team, yet the franchise has quietly shifted long-term focus toward Jaren Jackson Jr., who recently secured a contract extension. Morant’s frustrations add urgency to the internal calculus, but Memphis appears committed to keeping him unless a compelling offer emerges.
League sources suggest that any potential trade would resemble the high-stakes packages seen in previous star moves, such as the Kyrie Irving trade to Dallas in 2023. However, rival executives doubt Morant’s current market value justifies such a return, reinforcing Memphis’s cautious stance.
For now, the Grizzlies remain in wait-and-see mode, maintaining Morant on their roster while monitoring the evolving situation. The team’s approach underscores a broader strategy: prioritize stability and roster continuity while balancing the pressures of player demands and team performance in a challenging 4-10 start to the season.
