It's not been a normal Friday for Memphis Grizzlies fans, not after ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported that the organization is "entertaining offers" to potentially trade Ja Morant before the Feb. 5 deadline. After that news, there is a real chance that Morant has already played his final game with the team.
He last played in the Grizzlies' loss to the Lakers on Jan. 2, finishing with 16 points, 11 assists, three rebounds, and two steals in 31 minutes. Morant has missed the past three games with a right calf contusion and won't play in Memphis' game on Friday against Oklahoma City. It's not the first time this season he's dealt with a calf injury, as he previously missed 10 games with a calf strain.
A calf strain is perhaps the most feared injury in the NBA today after Tyrese Haliburton attempted to return from one in Game 7 of the NBA Finals and tore his Achilles tendon. Damian Lillard and Jayson Tatum also suffered Achilles injuries in the postseason.
You can understand why teams are more cautious than ever with calf injuries. It's why there shouldn't be a rush for Morant to return, and it's also why the Grizzlies could trade the guard without him suiting up for them again.
Grizzlies are reportedly open to trading Ja Morant before deadline
This news comes less than two days after the Hawks traded Trae Young to the Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. It's not what you'd think Atlanta would get for a player like Young, but there isn't a strong market (or much of one at all) for guards who have major defensive weaknesses.
Memphis won't get what it believes it should for a former No. 2 overall pick, but that's life in today's NBA. Charania did note that the front office is still open to move forward with Morant as a "focal part of their retooling" around their emerging young players.
Charania did say that there are "multiple teams" pursuing Ja, so maybe there is a team willing to strike the kind of deal with the Grizzlies that they want, one that includes young talent and draft picks.
Morant is making about seven million less than Young this season and doesn't have a looming $49 million player option for 2026-27 like the new Wizards guard. He's signed through the 2027-28 season, when he'll make $44.9 million.
There haven't been reports (yet) about the specific teams that are interested, but that should be coming next. These next few weeks will be interesting, to say the least.