With just over a week to go before the NBA trade deadline hits on February 5, Ja Morant’s name continues to swirl in trade chatter - but one rumored landing spot can be crossed off the list. Despite speculation linking the Memphis Grizzlies star to the New Orleans Pelicans, those talks aren't happening, according to veteran NBA insider Marc Stein.
In a post shared Monday, Stein made it clear: “There are no discussions between the Pelicans and the Grizzlies on a potential Ja Morant deal,” citing a source close to the situation. That lines up with what we've heard all season - Memphis isn’t just going to move its franchise cornerstone for the sake of it.
Stein elaborated in his latest column, offering a glimpse into how the Grizzlies are navigating the trade market. While Memphis is still open to finding a deal for Morant before the deadline, it’s not going to be a fire sale.
The front office knows what Morant means to the fan base - this is arguably the most electric and popular player in franchise history. Trading him away for a package of expiring deals or role players, à la Trae Young’s recent move to Washington, would be a tough sell in Memphis.
That Trae Young trade, which brought back CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, serves more as a cautionary tale than a blueprint for the Grizzlies. Stein emphasized that Memphis isn’t looking to replicate that kind of return.
Instead, they’re reportedly holding out for at least one future first-round pick as part of any Morant deal. Whether that kind of offer materializes in the next 10 days remains to be seen.
As for New Orleans, they’re active - just not in the Morant market. Stein noted that the Pelicans have been making and taking calls, with growing interest in young center Yves Missi.
But when it comes to Morant, the message from New Orleans has been consistent: no talks, no interest. The Pelicans also remain firm on keeping in-demand wings Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones, both of whom have drawn attention from around the league.
This trade buzz comes during a rocky stretch for Morant, who’s been limited to just 18 games this season. The 25-year-old is currently sidelined with a UCL sprain in his left elbow, an injury he suffered on January 21 against the Atlanta Hawks. The Grizzlies have ruled him out for at least three weeks, with a reevaluation expected in early February.
On the floor, Morant’s numbers reflect the stop-and-start nature of his season. He’s averaging 19.0 points, 7.6 assists, 3.2 rebounds and one steal per game while shooting 40.1% from the field.
His three-point shooting has dipped to a career-low 20.8%, but he’s knocking down free throws at a career-best 90% clip. Still, the scoring average is his lowest since the 2020-21 season - a sign of just how disrupted this campaign has been.
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, are struggling to stay afloat. They’ve dropped three straight games, including a 108-99 loss to the Houston Rockets on Monday, and sit at 18-26 - 12th in the Western Conference. They’ll try to snap the skid Wednesday night when they host the Charlotte Hornets.
As for the Pelicans, they’re still buried near the bottom of the standings at 12-36, but they’ve shown some recent fight with back-to-back wins, including a 104-95 upset over the San Antonio Spurs. They’ll wrap up a three-game road trip Tuesday night against the surging Oklahoma City Thunder.
With the deadline approaching fast, Morant’s name will stay in the spotlight. But if you're penciling in the Pelicans as a possible suitor, it’s time to erase that. For now, it’s all quiet between Memphis and New Orleans - and unless something drastic changes, that’s not expected to shift before February 5.