Latest Ja Morant Injury Update, Timeline to Return as Grizzlies Star 'Progressing' Amid Elbow Rehab

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is progressing in his rehab from an elbow injury but will remain sidelined for at least two more weeks after imaging on his injury revealed he hasn't fully healed, the team announced Thursday.

The two-time All-Star hasn't suited up for Memphis since a 124-122 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 21. His left UCL sprain added to a frustrating season for both he and the Grizzlies.

The fact Morant remains with the team is partially a reflection of how much his stock has fallen.

Having dealt Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in the offseason, the Grizzlies fully embraced a rebuild when they traded Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz before the deadline. They were open to moving on from Morant as well, but ESPN's Shams Charania reported no team tabled a "serious offer."

That served as a bit of a reality check for a player who not that long ago looked like one of the NBA's brightest young talents.

Morant has battled injuries throughout his career, having failed to log 70-plus appearances in a single season. In addition, his performance has trended in the wrong direction.

Through 20 games, he's averaging 19.5 points on 41.0 percent shooting, including a paltry 23.5 percent from long range. The 26-year-old remains a dynamic playmaker (8.1 assists), but his inefficient scoring has been a draft on Memphis' offense.

More teams than usual are packing it in with the hope of landing a high pick in what's considered a strong draft. In a not entirely coincidental development, a few big names have already been shut down for extended stretches or the entire year.

Jackson, for example, played in three games for Utah before undergoing knee surgery.

On one hand, the more time Morant misses, the better the Grizzlies' lottery odds are likely to be. On the other hand, the stretch run is a chance for the 6'2" guard to boost his value a bit if Memphis wants to return to the trade table.

The latter might be a more compelling motivation in a lost season.