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Ja Morant is one of the most electric players and gifted athletes to ever play for the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEd Forum.
Despite a swell of euphoric moments on the court, it has come with equally as much turbulence from the point guard in recent years. In seven seasons, Morant was named a two-time All-Star, NBA Rookie of the Year, and earned All-NBA second team honors in the 2021-22 season, but at the same time, Morant was suspended for disciplinary reasons, clashed with the coaching staff and the the Grizzles haven't made a deep playoff run.
The Grizzlies shopping Morant is not because he's no longer a stellar player. After seven seasons in Memphis that have included as many devastating lows as exhilarating highs, Morant's tenure with the Grizzlies has possibly run its course.
Morant's 2025-26 season ended due to a UCL tear in his elbow, which sidelined him for two months. Before he could return, the Grizzlies shut down Morant for the season due to "lingering discomfort."
The relationship between the organization and Morant has since soured, and the two sides seem to appear at odds. The Grizzlies are continuing to rebuild, while Morant, barring injury, should continue playing in his prime.
Morant has two years and $87 million left on his contract. The Grizzlies signed Morant to a five-year, $197 million extension in 2022. The deal made him the highest-paid player in franchise history.
The question is, where could Morant end up if the Grizzlies decide to trade him?
Here are three possible trade destinations for Morant.
The Timberwolves are already a contender.
With guard Ayo Dosunmo, who served as the focal point of the Timberwolves' offense down the stretch and into the playoffs, potentially leaving Minnesota in free agency, there would be a clear void to fill.
Morant would come into a winning situation and not have the pressure of having to be the star, instead complementing Anthony Edwards and being the second great player on a top-tier contender.
The Timberwolves were eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals; two seasons before that, they made it to the Western Conference finals. It would make sense for the Timberwolves to seek out a true point guard with plenty of upside and two years left on a max contract.
The Grizzlies can try to gain some draft capital from a team that could enter a desperate "win-now" mode.
The Heat have been heavily rumored to be the frontrunners to trade for NBA superstar and former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. If the Heat opt to acquire Morant, dominoes would have likely fallen ahead of them in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
Morant would become a centerpiece with the Heat after the team made the play-in game, but ultimately failed to reach the playoffs.
Since the Grizzlies would likely be unable to acquire much draft capital, they could still acquire young prospects, the likes of former 2025 first-round draft pick Kasparas Jakučionis, who'd bring some serious athleticism and explosiveness, but would have to continue to work on his turnover ratio.
Another potential acquisition could be former 2022 first-round pick Nikola Jovic, who would bring some more length that the Grizzlies need.
While the Pelicans have some ascending players, the team needs a star to complement Zion Williamson.
While the Pelicans have struggled to muster up wins, bringing in Morant would give fans some optimism going forward.
If the Pelicans are willing to part ways with one of their ascending guards, former 2025 first-round pick Jeremiah Fears, then the Grizzlies would likely take that in a heartbeat. Otherwise, the Grizzlies could acquire a veteran guard like Dejounte Murray and supplementary draft capital in compensation.
Reach Commercial Appeal sports intern Said Bravo at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Three possible destinations if Ja Morant traded, , what Grizzlies could get in return
Continue reading...
Despite a swell of euphoric moments on the court, it has come with equally as much turbulence from the point guard in recent years. In seven seasons, Morant was named a two-time All-Star, NBA Rookie of the Year, and earned All-NBA second team honors in the 2021-22 season, but at the same time, Morant was suspended for disciplinary reasons, clashed with the coaching staff and the the Grizzles haven't made a deep playoff run.
The Grizzlies shopping Morant is not because he's no longer a stellar player. After seven seasons in Memphis that have included as many devastating lows as exhilarating highs, Morant's tenure with the Grizzlies has possibly run its course.
Morant's 2025-26 season ended due to a UCL tear in his elbow, which sidelined him for two months. Before he could return, the Grizzlies shut down Morant for the season due to "lingering discomfort."
The relationship between the organization and Morant has since soured, and the two sides seem to appear at odds. The Grizzlies are continuing to rebuild, while Morant, barring injury, should continue playing in his prime.
Morant has two years and $87 million left on his contract. The Grizzlies signed Morant to a five-year, $197 million extension in 2022. The deal made him the highest-paid player in franchise history.
The question is, where could Morant end up if the Grizzlies decide to trade him?
Here are three possible trade destinations for Morant.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves are already a contender.
With guard Ayo Dosunmo, who served as the focal point of the Timberwolves' offense down the stretch and into the playoffs, potentially leaving Minnesota in free agency, there would be a clear void to fill.
Morant would come into a winning situation and not have the pressure of having to be the star, instead complementing Anthony Edwards and being the second great player on a top-tier contender.
The Timberwolves were eliminated in the Western Conference semifinals; two seasons before that, they made it to the Western Conference finals. It would make sense for the Timberwolves to seek out a true point guard with plenty of upside and two years left on a max contract.
The Grizzlies can try to gain some draft capital from a team that could enter a desperate "win-now" mode.
Miami Heat
The Heat have been heavily rumored to be the frontrunners to trade for NBA superstar and former MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. If the Heat opt to acquire Morant, dominoes would have likely fallen ahead of them in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
Morant would become a centerpiece with the Heat after the team made the play-in game, but ultimately failed to reach the playoffs.
Since the Grizzlies would likely be unable to acquire much draft capital, they could still acquire young prospects, the likes of former 2025 first-round draft pick Kasparas Jakučionis, who'd bring some serious athleticism and explosiveness, but would have to continue to work on his turnover ratio.
Another potential acquisition could be former 2022 first-round pick Nikola Jovic, who would bring some more length that the Grizzlies need.
New Orleans Pelicans
While the Pelicans have some ascending players, the team needs a star to complement Zion Williamson.
While the Pelicans have struggled to muster up wins, bringing in Morant would give fans some optimism going forward.
If the Pelicans are willing to part ways with one of their ascending guards, former 2025 first-round pick Jeremiah Fears, then the Grizzlies would likely take that in a heartbeat. Otherwise, the Grizzlies could acquire a veteran guard like Dejounte Murray and supplementary draft capital in compensation.
Reach Commercial Appeal sports intern Said Bravo at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Three possible destinations if Ja Morant traded, , what Grizzlies could get in return
Continue reading...
