Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies appear to be nearing a breakup after a tense 2025-26 NBA season. Once the face of the franchise, Morant’s relationship with the team reached a breaking point this year. It fractured following a reported locker room confrontation with head coach Tuomas Iisalo in November 2025 that resulted in a one-game suspension. His absence from the team’s final exit interviews at FedExForum on Monday further fueled the ongoing speculation.
The Grizzlies finished a disappointing 2025-26 campaign with a 25-57 record and an eight-game losing streak. The front office is now focusing on a full-scale rebuild that is likely to exclude their former centerpiece.
Ja Morant’s Declining Availability and Production
Morant was drafted No. 2 overall by the Grizzlies in 2019 and has become a household name thanks to his scoring ability and eye-popping athleticism. However, a turbulent 2025-26 season has pushed the 26-year-old superstar closer to a trade. The Grizzlies weighed their trade options prior to the Feb. 5, 2026, deadline, but ultimately shelved the talks and waited for better offers during the summer.
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon and Michael C. Wright, Morant has made that it clear that “he isn’t playing for Memphis anymore.” Over the last three seasons combined, he has appeared in just 79 total games. This season was particularly daunting, as Morant played in only 20 contests before suffering a UCL sprain in his left elbow on January 21, sidelining him for the remainder of the season.
His on-court impact has dropped off significantly. During the 2024-25 season, he averaged 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 45.4% from the field and 30.0% from deep over 50 games. This season, he averaged a career-high 8.1 assists, but his scoring fell to 19.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, while his field-goal percentage dropped to a career worst 41%.
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When compared to Morant’s 2021-22 All-Star peak of 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds on 49.3% shooting, these figures illustrate how persistent injuries and a weakened supporting cast have diminished his once-explosive efficiency.
Morant is on a five-year, $197 million designated rookie maximum extension that runs through the 2027-28 season. He is set to earn a base salary of $42,166,510 next season.
Earlier this year, Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman traded star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz for three first-round picks. He also traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks, and one first-round pick.
During a press conference, Kleiman told the media, “This is about organizational direction now. This is not about Ja in particular.” It’s clear that Memphis is rebuilding and a Morant trade feels like the next step in the organization’s long-term plan.
However, a Western Conference director of pro personnel told ESPN that “there’s certainly going to be hesitation” from teams when it comes to trading for Morant given his injury history and off-court issues. However, this same source notes that “there’s going to be several desperate teams” who will likely bid for him anyway.
