NBA Exec Says Ja Morant Has No 'Obvious' Landing Spot amid Grizzlies Trade Rumors
One NBA executive believes Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant doesn't have a clear-cut landing spot amid trade rumors for the two-time All-Star.
"There's not really an obvious spot for him," a Western Conference strategist told Jake Fischer for the Stein Line.
ESPN's Shams Charania previously reported that the Grizzlies were entertaining trade offers for the first time since selecting the ex-Murray State star with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft. He added that "multiple teams" were in pursuit of Morant. Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor had pegged the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings as "teams to watch."
Regarding Minnesota, Fischer had this to say:
"Minnesota, along with Miami and Sacramento, is routinely mentioned as a potential Morant suitor. Not here, though. Remember our Young reporting from Wednesday? I've been told very strongly — and laid it out thusly in Wednesday's piece — that the Timberwolves are really not in the market for a high-salaried playmaker."
Miami seems like more of a possibility, based on Fischer's reporting, as he noted the Heat's "decision-makers have indeed discussed (at least internally) whether the organization could foster a productive environment for Morant."
Fischer also brought up the Bucks. He asked an executive whether Milwaukee has considered Morant, and the response was: "They've thought about everyone."
Additionally, The Athletic's John Hollinger reported Saturday that the Kings' "interest is lukewarm at best."
Morant has averaged 19.0 points (albeit on a career-low 40.1 percent from the field and 20.8 percent from three), 7.6 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game.
He's played just 18 games this season in part because of a Grade 1 right calf strain that forced him to miss 10 games. He hasn't taken the court since Jan. 2 because of a right calf contusion.
The former Murray State star is under contract through 2027-28 ($39.4 million total this season, $42.2 million in 2026-27 and $44.9 million in 2027-28).
Morant has been at the forefront of some bright days in Memphis, especially when he led the Grizzlies to back-to-back No. 2 seeds in the 2022 and 2023 Western Conference playoffs. Morant went to the All-Star Game in each of those seasons.
The Grizzlies haven't hit that high since, and now Morant is struggling through a tough year while the Grizzlies sit 10th in the West at 16-22.
Perhaps a change of scenery and parting of ways is best. Morant is just 26 years old and should have plenty left in the tank. The question at this point is whether he can hit his ceiling again in Memphis or elsewhere.
