The NBA trade deadline has passed, and one of the biggest topics in the aftermath is the future of Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant. The Grizzlies are planning for a future without Morant, and were expected to trade him at the deadline if they received a strong offer. A top NBA insider explained why that didn’t happen and Morant’s current outlook.
NBA Insider Reveals Ja Morant Is Viewed Unfavourably Around The League Right Now
NBA insider Brian Windhorst offered a harsh assessment of Morant’s current standing in the NBA. Windhorst discussed Morant on ESPN, saying, “When I say he has no value, I don’t even think that’s accurate. I think he’s got what they call in the league negative value. What that means is teams were not willing to take Ja Morant unless they also, the Grizzlies also attached draft compensation. In other words, you have to pay us to take him. And I know this is a stunning thing when I talk to his fellow NBA players about it because they know how talented he is.”
Brian Windhorst on Ja Morant not getting traded:
“When I say he has no value, I don’t even think that’s accurate. I think he has what they call in the league, negative value. Meaning teams weren’t willing to take Ja Morant unless the Grizzlies also added draft compensation”… pic.twitter.com/QMiGd7mSqP
— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) February 6, 2026
One of the biggest trades at the deadline involved the Grizzlies trading former Defensive Player of the Year and two-time All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz. The Jackson Jr. trade was a signal that the team is no longer planning to compete for a championship in the short term, while preparing for the future when Morant will no longer be around.
As Windhorst mentioned, Morant is having the worst offensive season of his career, shooting a career-low 41% from the field and 23.5% from three. Perhaps even more alarming is that Morant’s 5.9 free-throw attempts per game are his lowest in five years. While Morant’s always been an inconsistent shooter, he’s still been able to use his elite athleticism to draw regular trips to the free-throw line. However, that’s no longer the case.
Morant has two guaranteed years left on his contract after this season, which Windhorst mentions is another issue. It seems clear that he is no longer viewed as a max player around the NBA. The Grizzlies may still need to attach a sweetener, such as draft picks, if they want to trade Morant this summer. Morant would certainly be attractive to teams in 2027 as an expiring contract, but that would mean he has to play at least one more full season in Memphis, something both parties likely want to avoid.
Morant could boost his trade value with a strong finish to the season, but the Grizzlies may want to get an extended look at rookie Walter Clayton Jr. down the stretch.
