Ja Morant is one of the most electric players and gifted athletes to ever play for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Despite a swell of euphoric moments on the court, at FedExForum and across the country, it has come with turbulence in recent years. In seven seasons, the point guard 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 he also suffered numerous injuries, was suspended for disciplinary reasons, and has clashed with the coaching staff as the Grizzles haven’t been able to make a deep playoff run.
The Grizzlies shopping Morant is not because he’s no longer a stellar player. His tenure 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 him down for the season due to “lingering discomfort.”
The relationship between the organization and Morant has soured, and the two sides seem to be at odds. The Grizzlies are continuing to rebuild, while Morant, who will turn 27 in August, would be playing in his prime.
Morant has two years and $87 million left on his contract. The Grizzlies signed him 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 Dosunmu — 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 go 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 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 “win-now” mode.
The Heat have been heavily rumored to be the front-runners to trade for NBA superstar and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. If the Heat opt to acquire Morant instead, dominoes would have likely already fallen ahead in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes.
Morant would become a centerpiece with the Heat after the team made the NBA play-in game, but ultimately failed to make the top eight.
Because the Grizzlies likely would be unable to acquire much draft capital, they could still acquire young prospects, like 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 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 they 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, such as 2025 first-round pick Jeremiah Fears, then the Grizzlies would likely take that in a heartbeat. Otherwise, they could acquire a veteran guard like Dejounte Murray and supplementary draft capital in compensation.
Reach Commercial Appeal sports intern Said Bravo at snonoal@gannett.com.
