The Memphis Grizzlies can’t enter their new era with Cameron Boozer until they can resolve Ja Morant’s future this offseason.
Morant has reportedly been on the trade block since January 2026, but the Grizzlies haven’t found a trade partner to finalize the deal.
At this point, the Grizzlies’ wanting to trade Morant is the worst-kept secret in the NBA.
Brian Windhorst says Ja Morant is ‘flagrantly available’
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst went on the ‘Unsportsmanlike’ show and classified Morant as ‘flagrantly available’ while explaining why the Grizzlies might end up paying a team to take on Morant’s deal.
“Flagrantly available. Couldn’t be more available.”
“They want to build elsewhere, so they’re highly motivated to trade him. But the two years on the contract? Very difficult. I don’t think a team is going to give value; they’ll want to receive value to take on that risk.”
Morant averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists last season, playing just 20 games as the Grizzlies focused on the tanking effort that landed them Cam Boozer at No. 3.
Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane are gone, so Morant is the only holdover remaining. The front office wants him gone this summer to start a new chapter for the franchise.
One team demanded returning assets to acquire Ja Morant
After reports debunking interest from teams like the New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves in Morant, the only confirmed team to have held talks over the guard was the Sacramento Kings.
However, Michael Scotto revealed that the Kings demanded that Memphis add assets in a trade for them to acquire Morant.
“This past season, the Kings were willing to acquire Morant if they were incentivized, but Memphis was uninterested in giving up draft compensation to move Morant, a two-time All-Star.”
If even the Kings are running away from offering assets for Morant, it’s hard to see a team that would jump in and offer Memphis a way out.
At this point, the Grizzlies would trade Morant just to have him off the roster, but not if it involves them giving up future picks to move off their former franchise cornerstone.
Read more:
