Ja Morant’s Injury Complicates Grizzlies’ Midseason Outlook Amid Trade Rumors
The Memphis Grizzlies are in the thick of a transitional season, and once again, all eyes are on Ja Morant. The dynamic guard has been the subject of trade chatter for months, but his on-court impact is still undeniable.
When healthy, Morant brings a level of energy and scoring punch that few in the league can match. Unfortunately for Memphis, that spark is currently sidelined-Morant is dealing with an elbow injury that kept him out of their recent 129-125 win over the Sacramento Kings, and he’s also set to miss tonight’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers.
This comes at a tough time for a Grizzlies team already stretched thin by injuries. The roster has been patched together with next-man-up mentality, and while the effort has been there-especially from players like Cam Spencer and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope-it’s clear that Memphis is missing its centerpiece.
Despite the noise surrounding Morant’s name in trade circles, the Grizzlies’ front office isn’t in any rush to make a move. According to reports, they’ve made it clear: unless a deal meets their high asking price, Morant isn’t going anywhere. For now, they’re holding firm, committed to keeping him in the fold unless a team comes calling with an offer too good to pass up.
But behind the scenes, the trade market tells a more complicated story.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon recently shed light on how the league views Morant’s current value-and it’s not exactly encouraging for Memphis. “He might have negative value on the trade market because of the risks, because he has two max years left on his contract,” MacMahon reported.
One team, frequently linked to Morant in trade speculation, reportedly told MacMahon they’d need to be incentivized to take him on. Translation: Memphis might have to attach draft picks just to move him.
That’s a far cry from where Morant stood just a year ago-as one of the league’s most electrifying young stars and a franchise cornerstone. But between a short-term suspension earlier this season and lingering locker room questions, the perception around him has shifted. Fair or not, it’s affecting how teams weigh the risk of bringing him in.
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, are walking a tightrope. They’ve already moved on from Jaren Jackson Jr., signaling a pivot toward a younger, more developmental core. That leaves Morant in a somewhat murky spot-still a face of the franchise, but with an uncertain future.
The best-case scenario for Memphis? Morant returns healthy, re-establishes his value with strong play, and gives the team options-whether that’s leading a retooled Grizzlies squad into the postseason or boosting his trade stock ahead of the summer.
Right now, though, the Grizzlies are in survival mode. They’re fighting to stay competitive without their star, leaning on depth and grit. And until Morant is back on the floor, both his future and the team’s direction remain up in the air.