The Memphis Grizzlies are in a jam at the moment. Ja Morant’s recent comments got him suspended by the team, and the tension between him and the coaching staff isn’t exactly going away.
It would be easy to conclude that it might be time for the two sides to move on following his most recent controversy. However, even if the Grizzlies haven’t reached that conclusion yet, it may be more difficult than they would hope.
How Do Executives Around the NBA Feel About Trading for Ja Morant?
On ESPN’s NBA Today, Marc J. Spears revealed that the prospect of acquiring Morant does not excite multiple executives around the league.
“Four of the execs I talked to today say they really have no interest in trading for him,” Spears said.” “One said it was because it’s a combo of contract and off the court issues. Another suggested that if Ja is traded it’ll probably be a problem star for a problem star.”
Spears added that executives believe that getting Morant right would depend on the circumstances.
“A couple of them said you would need the right coaching staff to have such a mercurial star as him. I asked one current NBA coach if he would like to coach Ja Morant, and he said, ‘I’m not sure I’d want to.'”
Marc Spears on what people around the league are saying about Ja Morant:
“Four of the execs I talked to today say they really have no interest in trading for him. One said it was because it’s a combo of contract and off the court issues. Another suggested that if Ja is traded… pic.twitter.com/C3Q3UiD6P0
— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) November 4, 2025
Morant just entered the third year of a five-year, $197 million contract. Between his off-court drama, injuries, and, most recently, calling out the coaching staff, his trade value has dipped slightly. If that’s not enough, the Grizzlies’ lack of progress since appearing to be the team of the future earlier in the 2020s is also a concern.
Now that there are so many questions about what’s next for Morant and the Grizzlies, the NBA probably isn’t too interested in taking such an expensive flyer on him.
Morant’s talent is undeniable, but so are his red flags. It’s been one issue after another over the past few years, leaving the Grizzlies in a position where they might have no choice but to swallow that contract.