Windhorst Says Teams Will 'Investigate' Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. After Bane Trade

NBA teams are expected to examine Memphis Grizzlies stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. following the surprising trade of Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic on Sunday, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.

"The next question is what about Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.? And I don't know the answer to this. This is something that we're just starting to trying to figure out with this trade," Windhorst reported on SportsCenter. "The whole league is now going to investigate this. We haven't heard from the Grizzlies yet and if I was at the Grizzlies' press conference this is the No. 1 question I would be asking. I wouldn't be asking about Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, I wouldn't be asking about Cole Anthony, I wouldn't be asking about those four first-round picks. I'd be asking, 'Do you intend to extend Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., both of whom are extension-eligible this summer?' Is that what you're doing now or are you pivoting the franchise?' So, to me, that's the big story emanating out of this trade."

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Sunday that the Grizzlies traded Bane to the Magic in exchange for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and one first-round pick swap.

The draft haul consisted of the No. 16 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, a 2026 first-round pick from the Phoenix Suns and unprotected first-round selections from Orlando in both 2028 and 2030 (via Charania).

Bane, Jackson and Morant have been teammates in Memphis over the past five seasons. The trio helped the Grizzlies make four playoff appearances throughout their shared tenure with the organization, although they never advanced beyond the second round.

While Memphis could utilize the draft picks acquired in the Bane deal to rearrange its roster surrounding Jackson and Morant, opposing organizations seem prepared to inquire about the availability of both stars as well.

The Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins just before the end of the 2024-25 season despite the team sitting at No. 5 in the Western Conference standings with a 44-29 record at the time.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Tim MacMahon and Michael C. Wright later reported that the "internal perception" was "players, most importantly [Ja] Morant, had tuned out Jenkins."

There was also "noise about Ja being unhappy all season long" prior to the firing, per MacMahon.

As for Jackson, he's entering the final season of his current contract before he's slated to his unrestricted free agency in 2026.

Shelburne, MacMahon and Wright reported in April that Memphis is "committed" to extending the 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year and avoid watching him leave as a free agent, though.

While the Grizzlies don't seem to be actively shopping their two remaining stars, other front offices appear to be monitoring the extension statuses of both players during the offseason.