Leading up to the deadline, rumors suggested the Grizzlies were prepared to move on from Morant as the face of the franchise. However, no deal reached the finish line, and the point guard will remain with the team through at least the end of the season.

Despite the lack of a mid-season move, reports indicate the franchise have already made a firm decision regarding the 26-year-old’s future. “Memphis intends to trade Morant over the summer, according to league sources. The team have the patience for any short-term pain that keeping him past the deadline may cause. Don’t view the Grizzlies’ non-action on him as a change in direction,” reported Joe Vardon of The Athletic.

While the Grizzlies did not move Morant, they made another significant move that signals his time in Memphis is nearing an end. The franchise traded arguably their second-best player, Jaren Jackson Jr., to the Utah Jazz. In return, Memphis received a haul that included three first-round picks.

Combined with the earlier trade of Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, the Grizzlies have amassed a total of seven first-round picks. This massive draft capital provides the franchise with the flexibility to potentially attach assets in a future Morant deal to ensure they receive a high-value return.

Morant holds ‘negative value,’ reports say

While the Grizzlies were keen on exploring the market for Morant during this window, reports suggest Memphis received very little interest from other NBA teams for the two-time All-Star.

ESPN insider Brian Windhorst reported on Get Up that Morant currently carries ‘negative value‘ in trade discussions. This suggests that rival teams are unwilling to take on his contract unless the Grizzlies attach draft compensation to the deal.

“When I say he has no value, I don’t even think that’s accurate,” Windhorst said. “I think he’s got what they call in the league negative value. What that means is teams were not willing to take Ja Morant unless they also attached draft compensation. In other words, you have to pay us to take him”.

It has been a difficult season for Morant, who is currently sidelined with a UCL sprain in his left elbow and has not appeared in a game since late January. His status for the remainder of the season remains uncertain. His production has also dipped, with Morant averaging 19.5 points (third-lowest of his career) and a career-low 3.3 rebounds, in what appears to be his final chapter with the Grizzlies.

According to Clutch Points, the teams interest in the Grizzlies‘ star are not interested offering a first-round pick as part of trade negotiations for Morant. This situation complicates their efforts to secure a deal with organizations interested in acquiring the NBA star.

“General Manager Zach Kleiman and the Grizzlies’ management are prepared to part ways with Morant before the trade deadline, provided they can obtain a first-round pick,” Clutch Points reported, highlighting the team’s interest in finalizing a trade. Nevertheless, securing a first-round pick has proven to be an obstacle.

With mere hours remaining to finalize a deal, the Grizzlies are reportedly awaiting a definitive offer involving a first-round pick in the discussions for the dynamic NBA star, who promises to be a valuable asset to any roster across the league.

Morant’s reported suitors

Despite the challenges surrounding Morant’s situation with the Grizzlies, anticipation builds regarding the star’s potential destination as the trade deadline approaches.

His potential suitors include:

• Miami Heat
• Minnesota Timberwolves
• Milwaukee Bucks
• Sacramento Kings
• Toronto Raptors
• Houston Rockets

Uncertainty lingers over Morant’s future, compounded by his recent UCL elbow sprain, which limits his market value until an expected return at the end of February. This injury could contribute to the Grizzlies’ demand for additional compensation in a trade deal involving Morant.

Amid that context, rumors intensify around a possible move involving Morant before the trade deadline. According to Michael Scotto, league executives have discussed for months the idea that Morant wants to play in Miami at some point in his career, fueling speculation about a potential blockbuster deal.

The Miami Heat possess several tradable contracts in the $26 million to $31 million range, including guard Tyler Herro, wing Andrew Wiggins, and the expiring deal of guard Terry Rozier. That financial flexibility places Miami among the teams best positioned to engage in serious discussions should Memphis decide to move its star.

Interest in Miami gains further traction after reports surface about Morant’s personal ties to the city. Records show that on Dec. 23, 2025, Morant is listed as an executor of a trust that purchased a $3.2 million home in Miami. The transaction takes place more than two weeks before sources confirm that the Grizzlies are considering a trade, although The Commercial Appeal withholds the property address for safety reasons.

Ja Morant’s current situation

Morant is currently in his seventh season with the Grizzlies and remains the most accomplished player the franchise has developed in recent years. Since entering the league, he has won NBA Rookie of the Year, NBA Most Improved Player, and earned two NBA All-Star selections, firmly establishing himself as one of the league’s most electric guards.

However, injuries and suspensions significantly limited his availability over the past several seasons. Morant has two years remaining on his contract, with approximately $87 million still owed, but durability concerns loom large as he has never played 70 games in a single season.

Since the 2021–22 campaign, Morant has appeared in just 212 total games, including the playoffs, while missing 178 contests due to injuries and suspensions. This season, he is averaging 19 points and 7.6 assists per game, while shooting a career-low 40.1 percent from the field and 20.8 percent from three-point range, numbers that raise questions about his market value and complicate any potential trade negotiations.

According to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports, the Miami Heat have emerged as a more attractive option than the Milwaukee Bucks, Sacramento Kings, and Minnesota Timberwolves for Morant and his camp, positioning Miami as the frontrunner.

“There are teams with varying levels of interest in Morant — Minnesota, Sacramento, and Milwaukee to name a few — but Miami has quickly emerged as an attractive option to Morant and his camp in recent days, sources say.”

However, no agreement or advanced discussions have taken place. “There have been preliminary discussions between the Heat and Grizzlies regarding Morant’s availability,” Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reported. “Those talks have not yet escalated, and a deal is not imminent, with a source characterizing the Heat’s link to Morant as ‘premature.’”

Morant’s current stats

This NBA season, Morant is averaging 19 points, 7.6 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game. While this marks his lowest scoring average since his rookie season, it is tied to ongoing challenges within the franchise.

His shooting has been a concern, as he is connecting on just 40.1% from the field and 20.8% from three-point range. Those efficiency numbers are below expectations for a player with such a major offensive role.

Still, Morant remains one of the league’s most dangerous guards. His explosiveness with the ball, ability to attack the rim, and vision as a passer continue to stand out.

What fuels the trade rumors

Amid these swirling rumors, one development has certainly caught attention: according to Miami Heat insider Dru Star, Morant purchased a $3.2 million home in Miami just three weeks ago.

According to the latest official NBA injury report, the Grizzlies have listed Morant as questionable due to a left ankle sprain for tonight’s matchup against the Bucks in Memphis.

Morant‘s return would provide a massive boost for a Memphis team that has navigated a season riddled with injuries. The franchise cornerstone previously missed 10 games after suffering a right calf issue against the Cavaliers on November 15th.

Since returning from that ailment, he has only appeared in two contests—a loss to the Jazz and a win over the Clippers—before spraining his left ankle, which forced him to miss the Grizzlies‘ last four games.

Despite his absences, Memphis has remained competitive, though Morant’s presence clearly takes their game to the next level. The 2019 second-overall pick is averaging 17.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists through 14 games this season.

Grizzlies could get another key piece back

In addition to Morant’s potential return, the Grizzlies may also welcome back rookie Cedric Coward. The No. 11 overall pick is currently listed as questionable with left heel soreness, which sidelined him during the team’s recent loss in Utah.

Coward has been a bright spot for a short-handed roster that currently has six players ruled out, including Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, Ty Jerome, John Konchar, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Vince Williams Jr.

On the other side of the ball, the Bucks are facing their own depth issues. Milwaukee has officially ruled out Giannis Antetokounmpo (right calf strain) and Taurean Prince (neck), while Gary Trent Jr. is considered questionable with a calf contusion.

According to Jake L. Fisher of The Stein Line, the Miami Heat have expressed interest in Morant. “Miami was already emerging as a surprising buyer in this trade market even before this week’s Giannis headlines. League sources say that the Heat, for example, have had internal discussions about Memphis’ Ja Morant and how Miami’s infrastructure could benefit him,” Fisher reported regarding Morant and the Heat.

This isn’t surprising, as the Heat have been linked to other rumors about players potentially joining their roster for the remainder of the season. They are eager to return to the pinnacle of the NBA and, with players like Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, they are determined to win the title.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are navigating a different scenario within their roster, as their start to the regular season has been less than ideal. With an 11-13 record, Memphis is striving to stay competitive with other franchises that are eyeing the NBA title this season.

Grizzlies’ complicated situation if Morant leaves

One of the main challenges facing the Grizzlies in the league is injuries, and Morant himself is coping with one. This is why he was unable to play against the Portland Trail Blazers over the weekend, during which the team secured a much-needed victory to maintain its hopes in the standings.

Joining Morant on the injury list are Javon Small, Ty Jerome, Brandon Clarke, and Scottie Pippen Jr., contributing to the team’s struggles in recent matchups, but they seemed to have another face too.

With this outlook, the Grizzlies are approaching the remainder of the season, awaiting Morant’s decision and updates on the other injured players. Meanwhile, the fanbase anticipates the development of this situation, hoping to see their team competing for significant accomplishments this season.

According to the latest official NBA injury report, the Grizzlies have ruled out Ja Morant (right ankle soreness) for tonight’s contest in Boston.

The Memphis star is navigating a difficult period with the Grizzlies. He recently received a one-game suspension for “conduct detrimental to the team” after reportedly clashing with the coaching staff following a loss to the Lakers.

Morant‘s rough start is reflected in his statistics, which represent some of the lowest of his career. The 26-year-old guard is currently averaging 18.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.1 steals through nine games this season.

Could Ja Morant be traded?

Amid this challenging landscape for both Morant and the Grizzlies, speculation about a possible trade has gained traction. Some fans have suggested the team should move on from the Memphis star, indicating that the 26-year-old guard is no longer committed to the franchise.

During the Grizzlies’ recent 133-120 defeat to the Knicks, a viral clip circulated on social media showing a New York fan telling Morant to join them, to which the Memphis star replied, “I’m cool”.

In the loss to the Knicks, Morant delivered another subdued performance despite achieving a double-double. The Memphis guard scored 16 points along with 10 assists and three rebounds but committed eight turnovers, which proved costly for the Grizzlies. Morant’s general performance level is notably low this season, and the team’s fans are beginning to question if he is the right person to build around for the future.

Tension surrounding Morant has continued to escalate over recent weeks, beginning with reported comments directed at the coaching staff. According to Basketball Talk, if the Grizzlies were to entertain trade discussions involving Morant, they would demand either a marquee player capable of selling tickets or a substantial return of draft picks and young talent.

Losing Morant would undoubtedly be a major blow, but it could also represent a much-needed reset for both sides. The atmosphere around the star guard in Memphis has turned increasingly toxic, marked by frustration, questionable professionalism, and ongoing disputes with the organization after being punished.

The Grizzlies are coming off a tough 114-100 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where Morant once again showed visible frustration. As Commercial Appeal’s Damichael Cole reported, Morant voiced his complaints after the game: “I’m getting no foul calls. Y’all had a whole spiel about running in there careless and getting hurt,” Morant said. “So what’s now? That’s what y’all want me to go back doing? Let’s end that convo right there.”

Interest in Morant grows

Rumors have intensified around the Memphis Grizzlies star amid his recent comments about lacking “joy” within the team. One of the franchises currently linked to a potential trade for Morant is the Miami Heat.

Ira Winderman of The Sun Sentinel spoke with Frank Isola and Brian Scalabrine about the possibility of Morant landing in Miami. Winderman didn’t rule it out, noting that Miami has long been “Pat Riley’s home for distressed players,” referencing past examples such as Tim Hardaway in 1996.

“Yes, yes, and yes, because that’s who Pat Riley is,” Winderman said. “It’s Pat Riley’s home for distressed players. And I will take this back to 1996. Tim Hardaway was taken out of the starting lineup by Rick Adelman. Bum knees, his career was over — he was a shot player. Who would take a chance on him? Boom.”

The Timberwolves also enter the mix

The Minnesota Timberwolves have reportedly shown quiet interest in Morant as they explore solutions for their ongoing struggles at point guard. With more offensive responsibility falling on Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards, the team is actively assessing ways to strengthen the position.

Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic revealed on SiriusXM NBA Radio’s The Jax Show that Minnesota has checked in with Memphis about Morant. “They certainly have checked in with Memphis on Ja and just kind of trying to test the waters a little bit,” Krawczynski said.

“I don’t get the sense that there’s anything real close, but I do think when we get into late December and the Wolves are still kind of, again, treading water, and that point guard position still has not solidified, they could start looking harder at Ja Morant.”

Morant’s numbers this season

Morant is currently averaging 19.2 points per NBA game on 35.8% shooting, including just 14.8% from beyond the arc, along with 7.9 assists and 1.2 steals. However, his production has dipped in November, where he’s averaging 16.8 points on 28.8% shooting and 13.6% from three. The Grizzlies are 0-5 this month, and Morant’s struggles were evident in the recent loss to Oklahoma City, where he finished with 11 points on 3-of-18 shooting, eight assists, and one steal.

Following the game, Morant made comments that led to an immediate suspension by the franchise. The Grizzlies announced the one-game suspension of the superstar, citing “actions deemed detrimental to the team” in an official statement.

This disciplinary measure comes at a critical point in the season and marks a turning point in the locker room dynamic. The suspension followed a tense postgame exchange between Morant and head coach Tuomas Iisalo after the team’s loss to the Lakers on Friday night.

What led to the suspension?

The point guard went scoreless in the second half and was largely absent during key moments of the game. He finished with 8 points, 7 assists, and shot 3-for-14 from the field, including 0-for-6 from three-point range.

Morant’s performance was not the only negative note for the Grizzlies that night. The franchise star, still visibly frustrated, confronted Iisalo and his coaching staff following the defeat.

“Ask the coaching staff,” Morant snapped repeatedly when reporters approached him in the locker room. When asked what the team could have done better to secure the win, he responded bluntly: “According to them [the staff], I probably shouldn’t have played.”

Ja Morant has now been suspended for one game by the Memphis Grizzlies, and he is going to lose the game against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday. This is not the first time Morant has displayed behavior that falls short of NBA standards.

While the Memphis star has been listed as questionable for the upcoming game, Underdog NBA reported that he is available to play. Morant initially sustained the injury during the preseason and was designated day-to-day leading up to the opener.

Despite the concern, he took the court, starting, and leading his squad to victory against the Pelicans, where he scored 35 points, grabbed three rebounds, and dished out three assists, finishing as the game’s top scorer ahead of Zion Williamson (27 points).

The Grizzlies managed a superb start to their campaign despite an already battered roster. Several key contributors—Brandon Clarke (knee), Zach Edey (ankle), Ty Jerome (calf), Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe), and Vince Williams (heel)—have all been ruled out with long-term injuries.

What about the Heat?

On the opposing side, the Miami Heat arrive in Memphis looking to bounce back after losing their season opener, 125-121, against the Orlando Magic. In their debut, Miami saw strong production from several players.

Norman Powell led the way, shining with 28 points, eight rebounds, and one assist, while Bam Adebayo secured a double-double, posting 15 points and 12 rebounds. Additionally, Davion Mitchell contributed significantly, finishing with 16 points and 12 assists.

Regarding the injury report, the Heat will be without key scorer Tyler Herro, who underwent left foot surgery in September and is not expected back for 8 to 12 weeks. Also out for this contest are rookie Kasparas Jakucionis (groin) and Terry Rozier, who is simply listed as “not with the team.”

The NBA is entering the best part of their offseason, which means names will go from roster to roster. Teams are looking to strengthen their squad and help out their stars. That’s the case of the Memphis Grizzlies, who just signed a player to support Ja Morant. The player in question was playing alongside Alperen Sengun for the Houston Rockets but got the short end of the stick after the Kevin Durant trade.

The player in question is center Jock Landale. He is entering his fifth year in the league after playing for the San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, and the Houston Rockets for the last couple of years.

Landale was waived by the Rockets on Thursday. Memphis didn’t take long to pick him up, as Shams Charania from ESPN reported. The Grizzlies traded big man Jay Huff to Indiana, who is looking to replace Myles Turner. The hole then was filled by Landale.

The Landale experiment can work for Memphis

Landale won’t shock anyone with his numbers. He averaged 4.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists. He played only 11.9 minutes per game, but that’s because he was the backup for Alperen Sengun.

The starting center of Memphis is Zach Edey, who is good, but is not one to produce like Sengun. Edey only averaged 9.2 points playing 21.5 minutes. It’s a big-time opportunity for Landale to prove his worth.

What are the Grizzlies expectations?

Memphis’ record last season was 48-34, which was good for 8th place in the Western Conference. However, the Grizzlies need to be better if they want to contend. The team was a great offensive unit averaging 121.7 points per game, the second-best of the league. However, their defense was awful, being ranked 24th out of 30.

Landale is a presence under the rim which means attacking the inside of the perimeter will be tough, as the roster also has Jaren Jackson Jr., one of the best defensive players in the NBA. They will guard the paint as Memphis looks to improve on their stock.