The status of Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant is one of the NBA’s biggest storylines leading up to next month’s trade deadline. The Grizzlies are considering trades, with the relationship between Morant and the organization potentially fractured beyond repair. A top NBA insider revealed the latest on where things stand.
Grizzlies Encouraged To Trade Ja Morant Soon
While discussing Morant on the “Hoop Collective” Podcast, NBA insider Tim MacMahon explained why a parting of ways between Morant and the Grizzlies organization feels inevitable.
MacMahon said, “Here’s the thing, though, the Grizzlies have to trade Ja. You can’t have the toothpaste out of the tube. He cannot be on the roster after Feb. 6. It will be an absolute mess.”
“He’s already had a very loud, ugly confrontation with their rookie coach. Everybody in that arena, much less locker room, knows they wanna get rid of him, and the feeling is mutual. It’s reached a point where Ja Morant’s career cannot continue in Memphis,” he added.
“Everybody in that arena, much less locker room, knows they want to get rid of him. And the feeling is mutual. It’s reached a point where Ja Morant’s career cannot continue in Memphis.”
– @BannedMacMahon on Ja Morant
(h/t @dru_star)
pic.twitter.com/MXmeRZJc9s— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) January 12, 2026
Morant has missed several games this season while dealing with injuries and a one-game suspension. He’s averaging 19 points per game this season, with career-low efficiency nearly across the board.
The Grizzlies have been worse with Morant in the lineup this season, which suggests retooling the roster around two-time All-Star and 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr is the right move.
The second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Morant won the Rookie of the Year Award and quickly became one of the NBA’s most popular young stars.
The two-time All-Star helped the Grizzlies win over 50 games in back-to-back seasons in 2021-22 and 2022-23, cementing the Grizzlies as one of the NBA’s top young teams. However, the turning point in his career may well be the multiple personal conduct suspensions he served in 2023.
While the Grizzlies affirmed their commitment to Morant by signing him to a five-year max contract, things haven’t gone as the organization hoped. The Grizzlies were unable to break through and reach the later stages of the playoffs, as Morant battled shoulder, knee, and ankle injuries in addition to his off-court issues.
He also developed tension with former Head Coach Taylor Jenkins, leading to Jenkins’ firing and departure as the winningest coach in franchise history.
The expectation was that Morant would thrive with a fresh start under new Head Coach Tuomas Iisalo, but the opposite has happened.
Morant was suspended for a game this past November after having a heated confrontation with Iisalo and making strong statements to the media. It’s possible Morant doesn’t want to play Iisalo, and Iisalo doesn’t want to coach Morant, which is why MacMahon said there’s a mutual interest in parting ways.
However, given the reported lack of interest from other organizations around the league in trading for Morant, there doesn’t appear to be much belief that he will thrive and become a superstar again in a new environment.
The Grizzlies may become desperate and accept the best offer available for Morant.
