Grizzlies Reportedly Open to Trading Ja Morant as Deadline Drama Heats Up
With the NBA trade deadline looming, the Memphis Grizzlies are suddenly shifting gears in a way that could send shockwaves through the league. After weeks of holding firm on a high asking price for Ja Morant, Memphis is reportedly softening its stance-and it might just open the door to one of the most unexpected moves of the season.
From Untouchable to Trade Chip?
For much of the lead-up to the deadline, the Grizzlies have been walking a tightrope. On one hand, Morant is a dynamic, franchise-level talent-an electric guard who’s already proven he can be the face of a team. On the other, Memphis has been navigating a challenging season and clearly weighing the long-term direction of the roster.
Initially, the front office set a steep price for Morant, hoping to land a return package that would rival the kind of draft capital and young talent seen in recent blockbuster deals. But that approach hasn’t yielded much traction. Teams around the league aren’t exactly lining up with desperate offers, and that lack of urgency has undercut Memphis’ leverage.
Now, with the clock ticking, it appears the Grizzlies are facing the reality of the market-and adjusting accordingly.
A Changing Landscape
According to league insider Kelly Iko, Memphis has come to terms with the fact that a Morant trade likely won’t fetch the kind of return they got in previous deals involving Jaren Jackson Jr. or Desmond Bane. That’s a significant development. The Grizzlies are recognizing that if they want to get something done, they may need to pivot from trying to “win” the trade to simply making the right deal for their future.
Even Tuesday’s trade involving Jackson Jr. didn’t bring in the kind of haul many expected. That only reinforces the idea that Memphis may need to recalibrate its expectations across the board.
A New Role in a Bigger Picture?
There’s another wrinkle here that adds intrigue: Memphis is reportedly monitoring the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation closely-not necessarily to land him, but to potentially serve as a facilitator in a larger trade.
A few weeks ago, there was chatter about Morant potentially joining forces with Giannis in Milwaukee. That scenario now seems less likely. Instead, the Grizzlies could play a supporting role in a blockbuster deal involving the Bucks star-possibly helping to balance salaries or move key pieces to make the math work.
In today’s NBA, where massive trades often require three, four, or even five teams to get across the finish line, a team like Memphis-loaded with movable contracts and a star like Morant-could be the key to unlocking a mega-deal.
What This Means for Morant
The headline here isn’t just that the Grizzlies are open to trading Morant-it’s that they’ve become more flexible in how they approach it. That shift in mindset could be the difference between Morant staying put or being on the move before Thursday afternoon.
Whether he’s part of a blockbuster or a standalone deal, the fact that Memphis is no longer holding out for a king’s ransom makes it far more likely that something happens. And if it does, it could reshape the Grizzlies’ future-and potentially alter the power balance across the league.
Stay tuned. This deadline is heating up fast, and Memphis just became one of the most fascinating teams to watch.