The Memphis Grizzlies have been fighting an uphill battle this season, and the signs of struggle are hard to miss. With a 16-22 record, the Grizzlies sit in 10th place in the Western Conference. Amid the on-court issues, whispers about Ja Morant have grown louder as trade rumors begin to swirl with greater urgency.
Two Teams Have ‘Lukewarm’ Interest in Ja Morant
On Jan. 9, ESPN insider Shams Charania reported that the Grizzlies had begun listening to trade offers for Morant, and once the news broke, analysts around the league began projecting potential landing spots.
NBA insider John Hollinger weighed in, identifying two teams with “lukewarm” interest in the guard.
“Sacramento’s interest is lukewarm at best, according to a well-placed league source, with the Kings likely looking at a much deeper and longer rebuild than just throwing assets at a Morant deal. They seemingly only get mentioned here because of the ‘Vivek Ranadivé is crazy enough to do this’ factor,” Hollinger reported on The Athletic.
Hollinger also mentioned the Minnesota Timberwolves as another team worth monitoring.
“The Wolves are another team in the lukewarm waters. They would possibly have more interest if it weren’t for those pesky salary-cap rules, but it’s hard to put together a cap-compliant trade that lets them take in Morant’s $39 million salary while staying below the second apron,” Hollinger said.
Morant’s potential fit in Sacramento is intriguing. He is averaging 19.0 points and 7.6 assists per game, production the Kings sorely need. Sacramento has struggled offensively, posting a 108.5 offensive rating while sitting at 8-30. Morant would inject much-needed playmaking, ignite the fast break, and ease the offensive burden on Zach LaVine by creating cleaner scoring opportunities, particularly in the mid-range.
A move to Minnesota would present a different dynamic. The Timberwolves already boast a strong offense, averaging 120.3 points per game. Adding Morant’s scoring and playmaking could elevate the unit further, with Anthony Edwards likely benefiting the most by sharing ball-handling responsibilities.
While Hollinger focused on Western Conference possibilities, former NBA star Kevin Garnett has suggested the Miami Heat could be a better fit for Morant. For now, what ultimately happens remains uncertain.
Why Are the Grizzlies and Morant on the Verge of a Split?
To understand how things reached this point, it helps to rewind. The issues surrounding Morant began bubbling up earlier this season.
On Nov. 1, tensions surfaced between Morant and Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo, ultimately resulting in a one-game suspension. That incident proved to be only the beginning. Following a rough performance against the Los Angeles Lakers, in which Morant scored just eight points, reports emerged that Iisalo confronted him about his effort and leadership in the locker room.
Rather than taking the criticism in stride, Morant appeared defensive. When reporters asked about his reduced minutes, he brushed off the questions, telling them to “ask the coaching staff” why his playing time had changed. It was not the response typically expected from a franchise player.
The Grizzlies then opted to sit Morant out for the following game against the Toronto Raptors, a decision that sent a clear message. The move suggested the organization’s patience may have been wearing thin.
