Multiple teams are reportedly keeping tabs on Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant and the possibility of him being made available for trade.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings are both “monitoring” Morant’s situation given recent developments between the two-time All-Star and the Grizzlies organization.
Amick named the Houston Rockets as a point guard-needy team that is unlikely to pursue Morant despite Fred VanVleet being out with a torn ACL.
On Saturday, the Grizzlies announced they suspended Morant for Sunday’s game against the Toronto Raptors due to conduct detrimental to the team.
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo challenged Morant’s “leadership and effort” following a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, and the team felt Morant “responded in a tone deemed inappropriate and dismissive.”
When subsequently asked to discuss his early-season struggles, Morant told reporters to “go ask the coaching staff.”
Morant returned from his one-game suspension on Monday, playing in Memphis’ 114-106 loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Pistons-Grizzlies Full Highlights
When reporters asked Morant after the game if he felt the same amount of joy he usually does about playing basketball, he responded, “No.”
The Grizzlies selected Morant with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft out of Murray State, and he has had his fair share of ups and downs throughout his career since then.
He was named the 2019-20 NBA Rookie of the Year, and two years later, Morant earned NBA Most Improved Player honors, while earning his first All-Star and All-NBA selections.
Morant followed that up with another All-Star nod in 2022-23 when he averaged 26.2 points and a career-high 8.1 assists per game.
Injuries and a suspension for flashing a gun in an Instagram Live video limited Morant to just nine games in 2023-24, and he played in only 50 games last season due to injury.
In seven games so far this season, Morant is averaging 20.4 points per game, which is his lowest scoring output since 2020-21, while also shooting a career-worst 39.1 percent from the field.
It is fair to wonder if a change of scenery could perhaps benefit the 26-year-old, which is likely why teams like the T-Wolves and Kings are waiting in the wings.
The Timberwolves have made back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals, and adding a dynamic guard to a core of Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert could perhaps put them over the top.
Meanwhile, Sacramento could use a replacement for De’Aaron Fox after trading him to the San Antonio Spurs last season, and Morant would fit the bill.
For now, there is no indication that the Grizzlies are looking to trade Morant, but if they change their mind, it seems they will have suitors to choose from.
