The Memphis Grizzlies are officially in reset mode-and Ja Morant’s future could be the next domino to fall.
After dealing Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, league sources say Memphis has significantly lowered its asking price for Morant, opening the door for a potential trade before the deadline. What once looked like an untouchable cornerstone now looks like a buy-low opportunity for teams willing to take a calculated swing.
According to multiple reports, the Grizzlies are coming to terms with the reality that Morant won’t fetch the kind of return they got for Jackson or Desmond Bane. That doesn’t mean they’re giving him away, but it does mean the conversations have changed. Teams like the Timberwolves and Heat, previously hesitant to engage at Memphis’ initial price point, are now circling with renewed interest.
The market for Morant, however, isn’t exactly booming. Concerns about his availability, attitude, and recent dip in production have cooled interest from some potential suitors.
But with the price tag dropping, those same teams may be more inclined to revisit talks. The Grizzlies, for their part, are reportedly open to taking back long-term contracts-if those deals come attached to valuable draft compensation.
At this stage, it seems Memphis would consider a deal centered around a single first-round pick, depending on the salary they're taking back. That’s a significant shift from where things stood even a few weeks ago.
One team that’s consistently been linked to Morant is the Sacramento Kings, but don’t expect anything imminent there. Despite the chatter, sources say Sacramento’s interest remains lukewarm at best.
They haven’t had active conversations with the Grizzlies in several days. That said, the Kings could re-enter the mix if there’s a pathway to offloading some of their own long-term deals-names like Malik Monk or DeMar DeRozan have been floated in league circles.
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves and Heat are keeping tabs on Morant, but both teams are also monitoring the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation. Until there’s clarity on that front, they’re unlikely to put their best assets on the table for Morant.
Miami, in particular, appears to be playing the long game. The Heat are reportedly hoping to land Morant for a return similar to what Atlanta got for Trae Young-something light on assets but heavy on future cap flexibility.
Expiring contracts like Terry Rozier and Simone Fontecchio have been mentioned as possible pieces in a Morant deal. That kind of package wouldn’t blow anyone away, but it would give Memphis the financial breathing room to retool quickly.
There’s also a growing belief around the league that Miami would be willing to sign Morant to the kind of contract extension he’ll be seeking once his current deal-which runs for two more years at $87 million-expires. That long-term commitment could make the Heat a more attractive destination for Morant, and a more serious bidder if talks progress.
While exploring Morant’s market, the Grizzlies are also keeping an eye on the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. They reportedly showed interest in reacquiring veteran guard Mike Conley from Minnesota before he was sent to Chicago, another sign that Memphis is staying active on multiple fronts as the trade deadline approaches.
Bottom line: the Grizzlies are shifting gears, and Ja Morant’s future is very much in play. The question now is whether a team is ready to roll the dice on one of the league’s most electric-if volatile-talents at a discounted price.