Ja Morant’s Future with the Grizzlies in Question

Ja Morant’s time with the Memphis Grizzlies might be winding down.

Recently, the Grizzlies extended an enticing offer that seems to suggest a possible trade before the February 5 deadline. This marks the first instance where Memphis has at least considered this option, and it seems multiple teams are showing interest in the former No. 2 overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft.

When he’s on his game, Morant has demonstrated exceptional talent. He snagged the Rookie of the Year title in 2019-20, was named Most Valuable Player in 2021-22, and has become a two-time All-Star, helping lead the Grizzlies to the playoffs four times in five seasons.

This season, his performance has taken a hit; he’s averaging 19.0 points and 7.6 assists per game, but his shooting stats are concerning—his field goal percentage is down to 40.1%, with only 20.8% from beyond the arc, the lowest marks of his career over 18 games.

Morant’s NBA journey has not been without its off-court issues. He has faced two suspensions tied to social media incidents and videos involving a firearm. Initially, in March 2023, he was suspended for eight games after a video emerged of him displaying a gun while at a Denver-area strip club on Instagram Live.

A subsequent video surfaced in May, showing him firing a gun inside a car, leading the NBA to impose a 25-game suspension for the 2023-24 season. Furthermore, he faced a one-game suspension in November after publicly criticizing the Grizzlies’ coaching staff following a loss to the Lakers.

When questioned about the team’s shortcomings, Morant retorted, “Ask the coaching staff.” Later, he expressed frustrations, saying, “According to them, to be honest, maybe stop playing me. Basically, that’s what the message was going for.”

In November, The Athletic noted that teams like the Timberwolves and Kings might be interested in acquiring Morant. If Memphis decides to trade him, it might be a significant move, especially given their current standing in the Western Conference at 10th place with a 16-21 record after Friday’s game.

This would also mean a second substantial change for the franchise since June, when star guard Desmond Bane was traded to the Magic for several assets, including Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, and multiple first-round picks.