Ja Morant Trade Ideas and Potential Landing Spots if Memphis Grizzlies Need a Divorce
Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies aren't on the same page.
The team has recently suspended the two-time All-Star for one game for comments detrimental to the team, and Morant recently told the media he's lost his joy after the Grizzlies dropped their third straight game Monday night.
Morant, clearly displeased with coach Tuomas Iisalo, could be the next star player traded if he and the team can't resolve the behind-the-scenes issues.
Morant is under contract through 2027-28 for $126.5 million (including $39.4 million this season), and the Grizzlies may find his market to be complicated, despite his jaw-dropping talent.
After a brilliant 2022-23 51-win season, the Grizzlies have struggled—in large part because of Morant's 25-game suspension in 2023 for posing with a gun on Instagram Live. Add in a recent history of injury issues, and the 26-year-old may not appeal to every franchise.
However, this is the NBA, where just about anybody can be traded. The following is a list of four viable trade destinations should Memphis decide divorce is the answer.
Atlanta Hawks
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The Grizzlies get: Trae Young
The Hawks get: Ja Morant, $6.6 million trade exception
Starting with the most straightforward transaction, a one-for-one star point guard for a star point guard.
Young, out for a month with a knee injury, is in the final year of his contract unless he opts into his $49 million for 2026-27. He can extend and trade to Memphis, voiding the option to add three additional seasons (or wait six months to add four).
The Grizzlies would presumably need assurances Young is sticking around to give up Morant. To date, Atlanta and Young haven't been able to come to terms, and some around the league wonder if the marriage will continue beyond this season.
The Hawks, who have playoff aspirations, get an immediate replacement for Young. Morant is less expensive and would give Atlanta more time to decide whether he's the right fit, rather than paying Young this summer.
Both franchises stay under the luxury tax. The Grizzlies would need some time for Young to get well, but at least the Morant drama would be resolved.
Phoenix Suns
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The Grizzlies get: Jalen Green, 2027 first-round pick, $5.9 million trade exception
The Suns get: Ja Morant
This one hinges on what the Grizzlies think of Green, an increasingly polarizing player.
The 23-year-old is an athletic, high-level NBA scorer who struggled in his first postseason appearance last year with the Houston Rockets, outside of one monster performance in Game 2 vs. the Golden State Warriors.
Green is also less expensive than Morant with $105.8 million left on his deal, though he can opt out before the 2027-28 season.
The Suns could fill the greater positional need with Morant, giving up the only first they can send (the lowest selection between the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz).
Phoenix could profit from the Grizzlies' drama, on the premise that the Morant situation needs to be resolved before it poisons the rest of the season.
Miami Heat
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The Grizzlies get: Tyler Herro, $8.4 million trade exception
The Heat get: Ja Morant
Miami has sought a star guard for several years.
Morant may not be an immediate fit based on the Heat's current offensive system. But the franchise could take the risk on his elite talent on the hope that their famed work-ethic-above-all-else culture offsets any flaws.
Herro wouldn't be available immediately for the Grizzlies, as he's expected back later this month from an ankle injury.
The 25-year-old guard made his first All-Star appearance last year for Miami, but questions persist about the franchise's devotion to Herro. While he was extension-eligible before the start of the season (starting after his $33 million for 2026-267), he and the Heat didn't reach a deal.
Perhaps he could return to the negotiating table with the Grizzlies in the offseason.
The Grizzlies clear the Morant issue and shed immediate salary; the Heat finish just below their first-apron hard cap.
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Sacramento Kings
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The Grizzlies get: Malik Monk, Keon Ellis, Dennis Schröder, 2026 protected first-round pick, 2027 protected San Antonio Spurs first-round pick (all via the Kings), $6.5 million trade exception (Ja Morant)
The Kings get: Ja Morant, GG Jackson (both from the Grizzlies), Jalen Wilson (from the Brooklyn Nets), $5.4 million trade exception (Dario Šarić), $2.3 million trade exception (Keon Ellis)
The Nets get: John Konchar, 2029 Portland Trail Blazers second-rounder (both from the Grizzlies), Dario Šarić, 2026 protected Charlotte Hornets second-round pick, cash (all via the Kings)
In this scenario, Brooklyn cuts Tyrese Martin for roster space to take on Šarić and (from Memphis) Konchar. The Nets gain two second-rounders and cash for participating. The deal would need to wait until December 15, when Schröder's trade restriction lifts.
Sacramento gets the best player in Morant, returning depth to Memphis. The Grizzlies add three quality guards and two future first-round picks.
If Memphis prioritizes draft currency, Sacramento may have the most to offer. While Monk, Ellis, and Schröder aren't All-Stars like Young or Herro, the Grizzlies aren't likely to get picks from Atlanta or Miami with those players.
Minnesota Timberwolves
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The Grizzlies get: Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, Rob Dillingham
The Timberwolves get: Ja Morant, Jock Landale, GG Jackson II, $10.8 million trade exception
It seems like a stretch that the Timberwolves have a viable package for Morant. Assuming the team won't move Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Naz Reid, or Jaden McDaniels, the only viable salary is Gobert. But with The Athletic's John Krawczynski telling SiriusXM NBA Radio that Minnesota "checked in" with the Grizzlies, it's worth mapping out what a deal might look like.
Here, the Grizzlies solve the Morant problem, add an exciting young guard in Dillingham, and bring back the well-loved Conley to retire in Memphis. Do the Grizzlies need Gobert with Zach Edey needing minutes? Maybe not, but pairing two defensive bigs like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Gobert is at least interesting. Conley can fill minutes at point guard, where Memphis has multiple injuries. Dillingham can be a larger part of the team's future.
Is Morant a great fit with Minnesota's core? If they believe so enough to make this sort of deal, fine, though it's certainly debatable. He's undeniably talented, and the Timberwolves need a long-term fixture at the point. Gobert would get about $4.5 million from the Timberwolves in a trade bonus, as of December 15 (when Landale's trade restriction lifts). It may not be an ideal move for either team, but under extreme circumstances, perhaps it's a deal worth considering.
The Field
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A long list of teams would explore a Morant deal with the Grizzlies, but many face hurdles in salary matching, value, aprons, and other factors that make a straightforward move more challenging.
The Toronto Raptors could look to upgrade from Immanuel Quickley for Morant, but can the team find a home for the 26-year-old with his large contract? The Washington Wizards have large but short contracts (Khris Middleton, CJ McCollum) and the young pieces and picks that could interest the Grizzlies, but is Morant on their timeline?
The Detroit Pistons could arguably use Morant, but do they overlook his issues and remain eager to bring Morant into a winning situation? Detroit can offer Jaden Ivey with Tobias Harris, but that doesn't seem particularly viable.
Similar wild-card options, the Utah Jazz could try to accelerate their timeline, or the Charlotte Hornets could prefer Morant over LaMelo Ball; neither jumps out as realistic. The Chicago Bulls may be playing too well to consider how Morant fits alongside Josh Giddey.
Others could float ideas, but Morant's contract and off-court issues may be real obstacles for the Grizzlies, especially if he continues to call out the coaching staff publicly.
Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on X @EricPincus and Bluesky.
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