Ja Morant to be traded soon? Memphis exploring offers
Dec 26, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo talks with guard Ja Morant (12) during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
For the first time since his arrival in Memphis, Ja Morant is the subject of trade offers being seriously considered by the Grizzlies. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Tennessee organization is actively listening to proposals concerning their All-Star point guard, marking a major turning point in the team’s strategy.
Several teams pursuing the two-time All-Star
Several NBA franchises are actively pursuing negotiations to acquire Morant, and rival executives believe that Memphis would prioritize draft picks and young players in return. The Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings are among the teams to watch according to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports, while the Houston Rockets are reportedly not showing interest in the 26-year-old player.
Just in: For the first time, the Memphis Grizzlies are entertaining offers to potentially move two-time All-Star Ja Morant ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/SD0RT9Jhuj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 9, 2026
Morant remains under contract with Memphis until the 2027-2028 season, with a salary of $39.4 million this year, followed by approximately $87.1 million over the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 seasons. He will also be eligible for a three-year, $178 million extension this summer.
This season, the Grizzlies currently sit in 10th place in the Western Conference with a record of 16 wins and 21 losses. This dynamic is pushing the organization to reconsider its options. Morant has played only 18 games out of Memphis’s first 37, hampered by a calf injury and a one-game suspension in November for « conduct detrimental to the team » following post-game comments about coach Tuomas Iisalo.
Declining performance raising questions
Morant’s statistics this season reflect his struggles: 19 points and 7.6 assists per game, but with career-low shooting percentages (40.1% from the field and only 20.8% from 3-point range). Since the 2022-2023 season, the point guard has played only 77 games total, raising questions about his availability.
Memphis now has a treasure trove of assets with 9 first-round draft picks and 6 second-round picks to come, notably thanks to the trade of Desmond Bane to Orlando. The emergence of young talents like Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer, alongside Jaren Jackson Jr., offers the organization several possible paths for the future.
While Memphis remains « open » to keeping Morant according to Charania, this first step could completely redefine the franchise’s future before the February 5th deadline.
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