The NBA trade deadline has passed, and the Memphis Grizzlies were unable to secure a trade deal for Ja Morant. Earlier this season, the Grizzlies declared that they were open to offers for Morant. However, no teams expressed interest.
With that in mind, it appears Morant will remain the Grizzlies’ franchise player in the years ahead. At least, that is what fans want to believe. However, an NBA insider has provided a significant update on Morant’s future in Memphis.
Ja Morant Expected to be Traded This Summer
According to NBA insider Tomer Azarly, the Grizzlies still intend to trade Morant. The team is targeting the offseason to begin exploring trade deals. However, their plan to part ways with their star guard is complicated.
Azarly reported that the Grizzlies want to maximize the return they receive from other teams and, ideally, secure a substantial package for Morant. The insider specified that Memphis does not want a trade similar to Trae Young’s.
“The Grizzlies are widely expected to trade Morant this upcoming offseason,” Azarly reported. “Memphis pushed hard to trade Morant at the trade deadline, but maintained that they wouldn’t accept a package similar to that of the Wizards’ for Trae Young.”
In the Young deal, the Hawks traded him and accepted CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert from the Washington Wizards. Given that the Grizzlies do not want a trade similar to the Hawks-Wizards deal, it is reasonable to assume they would prefer more draft picks.
Morant is averaging 19.5 points, 8.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds, while recording career-low marks in field goal percentage (41.0%) and 3-point percentage (23.5%). He is scheduled to be reevaluated soon for an ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his left elbow.
Trading Morant essentially signals that the Grizzlies are ready to fully rebuild. The team traded two-time All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, receiving Walter Clayton Jr., Taylor, Hendricks, Kyle Anderson, Georges Niang, and a few first-round picks in return. In the offseason, they parted ways with Desmond Bane in a trade with the Orlando Magic that netted them four unprotected first-round picks and a pick swap.
With all that considered, trading Morant in the offseason will be difficult. It is also worth noting that Morant will have only two years remaining on his contract by then. His value will stand at approximately $87 million at that time, which may make teams more willing to trade for him, given the reduced salary commitment.
