Even though one of the biggest challenges for the Grizzlies this offseason will be navigating a Ja Morant trade, his market is drying up even more. Following the Giannis Antetokounmpo and Julius Randle trades, the Timberwolves and Heat can likely be ruled out as suitors for Morant. To make matters more difficult, a Kings team often linked to Morant in past months is likely out as well.
As we all know, Morant has two years and $87 million remaining on his current contract. Given the fact he has missed many games in the last three seasons while showing a recent drop in offensive efficiency, the Grizzlies were going to get a lesser return than what they got for Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane despite how talented Morant still is.
There are valid questions to be asked about whether Morant ends up getting moved this summer or not. Michael Scotto wrote in his latest pre-draft intel that the chances of the Kings pursuing Morant were unlikely since they would likely select a point guard at #7. Now, it isn't exactly surprising to see the Kings want a guard at #7, but the market keeps on shrinking for the Grizzlies and Morant.
A trade is logical even if it is unpopular
Depending on how the 2026 NBA Draft goes, it wouldn't be a surprise for the Grizzlies to still continue pursuing a Morant trade. A team such as Milwaukee could still be in the mix for Morant's services following yesterday's trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. It also cannot be ruled out that another mystery team in desperate need of a point guard ends up interested in Ja Morant.
Truthfully, it makes perfect sense for the Grizzlies to pivot towards a new core and go fully in on a new rebuild. But even though the possibility of the Grizzlies attaching assets to move Morant has been floated, it is difficult to justify attaching picks, especially not long after the Hawks traded Trae Young to the Washington Wizards.
Regardless, given the lack of interest from teams such as the Pelicans and the Kings, it should be a harsh reminder of how low Morant's value is seen around the league right now. While he remains talented, he has to prove he can consistently play games and will have to restore some of the offensive efficiency that has been lost in recent seasons.
What's next for Morant and the Grizzlies?
A potential reconciliation between Morant and the Grizzlies could still give players such as Cam Boozer and Zach Edey a strong playmaking presence. Even though it is a much less straightforward path and one that is likely not realistic, a reconciliation could end up being the best outcome for Morant and the Grizzlies if they can't find a trade partner by the end of the offseason.
The Memphis Grizzlies find themselves in a challenging spot in the Ja Morant trade saga. Whether fans believe it is the right move to trade him or not, the Grizzlies will simply have a hard time executing a potential trade given some of the latest intel throughout the league.
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