Ja Morant’s time in Memphis may be coming to an end.
The Grizzlies are “entertaining offers to potentially move the two-time all-star,” ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Friday.
Morant’s name has been involved in trade rumours amid some tough times in Memphis. The Grizzlies sit five games below .500 and out of a playoff spot, while Morant has battled injuries and off-court incidents.
Morant missed 10 games this season with a calf strain and was also suspended one game on Nov. 1 for conduct detrimental to the team after post-game comments about his playing time, saying “go ask them” in regards to the coaching staff.
When the 26-year-old has been on the court, he’s been a shell of his former self that earned the Rookie of the Year honour and two all-star appearances.
In 18 games this season, Morant is averaging 19 points — his lowest since his rookie campaign — to go with 3.2 rebounds and 7.6 assists. His field-goal and three-point percentages are also the worst of his career, shooting just 40.1 per cent from the field and an abysmal 20.8 per cent from deep while averaging 4.3 attempts per night.
Morant’s availability has been a question mark not just this season, but over the entirety of his career. He’s played a maximum of 67 games in a season, and since the 2022-23 campaign — Morant’s last all-star nod — the point guard has played just 77 games.
He comes with a hefty price tag, too, as Morant is in the third of a five-year, $197.2-million contract.
If the Grizzlies were to move Morant, Charania added the team would prioritize draft picks and young players in return. However, as the Grizzlies consider multiple paths forward, they still remain open to keeping Morant, per Charania.
