Grizzlies Reportedly Not Interested in Kevin Durant Trade amid Ja Morant Rumors
The Memphis Grizzlies gained some valuable trade assets in the form of four first-round picks from the Orlando Magic after trading Desmond Bane earlier this week, but the team reportedly won't be in the mix for Kevin Durant.
Damichael Cole of The Commercial Appeal reported Wednesday that the Grizzlies don't intend to trade for the Phoenix Suns star this offseason (h/t NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer).
After the Grizzlies sent Bane to Orlando, there was plenty of speculation that the team was possibly heading towards a rebuild. ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported after the deal that teams around the league planned to "investigate" trades for stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. Morant was even linked to the Miami Heat following the trade.
But talks about Memphis parting ways with Morant and Jackson quickly ceased. ESPN's Tim Bontemps reported Monday that the Grizzlies are "not looking" to deal either star. Instead, Memphis is looking to "complete a renegotiation and extension" with Jackson, according to Bontemps.
Morant also brushed off possible trade talks, clearing the air on social media by saying he's going to stay in the 901 (Memphis' area code).
With Morant and Jackson seemingly staying put in Memphis and the team reportedly not interested in adding Durant, there are still plenty of questions about how the team plans to be competitive moving forward.
With a core of Morant and Jackson, the Grizzlies looked like legitimate contenders in 2022, reaching the conference semifinals and taking the eventual champion Golden State Warriors to six games.
Since then, Memphis has had little to show for, reaching the playoffs twice but getting bounced in the first round both times. Injuries, especially to Morant, have been a major factor, so the Grizzlies might be looking to gauge how the team looks when healthy.
If it does decide to make a trade, Memphis has plenty of draft capital to work with following the Bane trade earlier this week.
