Fresh Ja Morant Trade Rumors Amid Links to Zion Williamson, Pelicans Pairing
You might want to pause on buying that New Orleans Pelicans jersey with Ja Morant's name and number on the back.
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, "One source close to the process [said] that there are no discussions between the Pelicans and the Grizzlies on a potential Morant deal... despite persistent speculation to the contrary."
Morant has become a pretty regular fixture in trade rumors talk, though to this point it doesn't seem like teams are willing to offer much for his services.
He's currently sidelined for at least three weeks with a UCL sprain in his left elbow, and his long injury history—combined with some of the off-court issues in the past and his more recent clashes with the Memphis coaching staff—have perhaps cratered his trade market.
At his best, Morant is a two-time All-Star, one-time second-team All-NBA selection and one of the most exciting players in the NBA. But the 26-year-old hasn't consistently hit those heights in recent years and is in the midst of his worst season.
Morant's 19.5 points per game is his lowest mark since the 2020-21 campaign. His 41.0 shooting percentage and 23.5 three-point percentage are both career lows. He's been solid as a playmaker, with his 8.1 assists tying a career high, but any positives have been offset by his lack of availability due to injuries (only 20 games played this season).
Add in the fact that he's under contract through the 2027-28 campaign and owed $42.1 million and $44.8 million, respectively, in his last two seasons, and it's easy to see why teams potentially view him as more of a risky, buy-low candidate rather than the sort of superstar who would have once been worth a major asset outlay.
The Pelicans are a mess, meanwhile, at 12-36 on the season, and it wouldn't be surprising to see them shake up the roster. It doesn't sound like they'll be doing so with Morant in mind, however.
