The conclusion of the Atlanta Hawks–Trae Young saga in the East has yet to fully settle. Amid that, ESPN’s Shams Charania dropped another trade update from the West. Just ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies’ home game against the Thunder on Jan. 9, he revealed that the Grizzlies are hearing trade offers involving two-time All-Star Ja Morant.
As speculation about Morant’s potential landing spot began spiraling, one Eastern Conference team, which the Grizzlies will ironically face in their next matchup, has emerged as a surprising contender.
Analyst Proposes Three-Way Trade for Moving Ja Morant
A trade would bring Morant’s eventful seven-year run with the Grizzlies, the team that selected him second overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, to an end. His tenure has been highlighted by major achievements, including winning the Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player awards. However, the point guard’s last three seasons have largely been defined by injuries, off-court issues, and, more recently, tension with head coach Tuomas Iisalo.
In what could be an underwhelming conclusion to an otherwise promising start, John Hollinger of The Athletic identified the Brooklyn Nets as a potential suitor for Morant. Memphis is set to play Brooklyn on Sunday, Jan. 11. Notably, Morant has already been ruled out of that contest — his fifth straight missed game — due to a right calf contusion.
Hollinger, who used to work in the Grizzlies’ front office, labeled the Nets a “dark horse” in the Morant sweepstakes. He said a league source told him Michael Porter Jr. “is a lock to move by the deadline” after averaging a career-high 25.9 points per game through the first 29 contests of the season.
The Brooklyn Nets are a “deep dark horse” to trade for Ja Morant, per @johnhollinger
(https://t.co/XvavpGyUmf) pic.twitter.com/VMjcibrjUj
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) January 10, 2026
That might lead the Nets to “sell high on Porter, buy low on Morant,” Hollinger wrote. He also proposed a potential three-way trade involving Memphis and Brooklyn, noting that Porter may not align with the type of return the Grizzlies are seeking.
Hollinger suggested the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat as teams that could facilitate such a deal to acquire Porter. All three franchises could offer a future first-round pick and possess contracts that would allow for salary matching.
“The Bucks, who have been actively seeking upgrades around Giannis Antetokounmpo, can trade a 2032 first and a 2031 swap, and could use Kyle Kuzma and three low-salaried players as the salary match. Toronto has a similar pathway using R.J. Barrett, Murray-Boyles, a 2026 first, and Agbaji; Miami could use Andrew Wiggins or Rozier plus Fontecchio, Jakučionis, and a 2029 first,” Hollinger noted.
Memphis Has a Financial Advantage in Morant Trade Talks, but Performance Issue Remains
One factor working in Memphis’ favor is that Morant did not make an All-NBA team in 2022-23. Had he done so, the five-year, $197 million rookie extension he signed in the 2022 offseason would have escalated to $237 million.
“In the apron era, this detail matters. Instead of an onerous $47.3 million cap hit this season and $50.6 million and $53.9 million the next two years, Morant is owed $39.5 million, $42.2 million, and $44.9 million, respectively,” noted ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Morant has three years left on his contract. He is eligible for a three-year, $178 million extension next summer. His salary ranks just 28th in the league. However, those factors do not erase concerns that Morant is tracking toward his third consecutive season with fewer than 60 games played.
The guard is enduring the worst season of his professional career. His 19.0 points per game mark his lowest average since his rookie season in 2019-20. Compounding the issue, he is shooting a career-low 40% from the field and 21% from 3-point range. Even his most dangerous skill — attacking the basket — has seen a noticeable decline.
It remains to be seen how much value Memphis can extract in a Morant trade given the downturn in performance, paired with ongoing injury concerns and past off-court controversies.
