With the trade deadline looming on Thursday, the NBA rumor mill is spinning at full speed-and Ja Morant’s name, while not as loud as before, hasn’t disappeared entirely. While much of the spotlight has shifted to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the surprise emergence of James Harden on the market, Morant’s situation in Memphis still has at least one team watching closely: the Sacramento Kings.
According to team sources, the Kings haven’t fully shut the door on the idea of pursuing Morant before the deadline. They’ve been consistently linked as one of the few-if not the only-teams still seriously considering a move for the Grizzlies’ embattled star. That interest has lingered, even as the trade buzz around Morant has cooled.
Let’s be real: just a few months ago, it felt like Morant could be the next big name on the move. After Trae Young was shipped to Washington, the natural assumption was that Morant might follow as the next domino to fall.
A couple of teams were circling, intrigued by his talent and hoping to buy low. But things changed.
His on-court production dipped, and the off-court issues that have shadowed him over the past year made front offices think twice. That combination has dragged down his trade value, and in a league where perception matters just as much as performance, that’s a tough hurdle to clear.
Still, Sacramento remains intrigued. The Kings have been building something solid in recent seasons and could see Morant as a potential game-changer-if the fit is right.
But there’s a major sticking point: Morant reportedly isn’t sold on the idea of signing an extension with Sacramento if he’s traded there. That hesitation is a major reason why a deal hasn’t gained real traction.
From Memphis’ side, the stance is clear: they’re not feeling pressured to move Morant. Despite his diminished trade value, the Grizzlies are signaling to other teams that they’re perfectly comfortable keeping him past the deadline. Whether that’s a negotiating tactic or a genuine commitment to their former franchise cornerstone is up for debate-but the message is out there.
As one league insider put it, “The market is tough.” Memphis isn’t going to give Morant away just to make a move. And they’re certainly not going to settle for a return that mirrors what Atlanta got for Trae Young-unless they believe the long-term benefit is worth it.
A couple of years ago, Morant hitting the trade block would’ve triggered a league-wide frenzy. Teams would’ve unloaded assets, picks, and young talent to land a dynamic, explosive guard with All-NBA potential.
But now, after injuries and a string of off-court missteps, the calculus has changed. The talent is still there-nobody questions that-but the risk is higher, and the market knows it.
So as Thursday approaches, all eyes won’t just be on the headline names. Ja Morant might not be the centerpiece of this year’s trade deadline, but his situation is still one of the most fascinating.
Sacramento’s interest is real, albeit cautious. Memphis is holding firm.
And Morant? He remains a star in limbo-one whose next move, or lack thereof, could quietly shape the Western Conference’s future.