Could the Memphis Grizzlies seriously consider moving top star Ja Morant this summer? After the Dallas Mavericks shockingly traded Luka Doncic before the 2025 NBA trade deadline anything seems possible. And a wild new report on Tuesday pointed to the Grizz doing the unthinkable after the season.
“I’m constantly checking in with executives around trade deadline about like, OK, what we saw, what we didn’t see, what’s next, and in this league, you are always on the lookout for who’s the next wave of stars that are going to get dealt, right?” NBA insider Howard Beck said on The Ringer’s NBA Show this week. “We just saw the shock of all shocks with the Luka deal, we saw Jimmy Butler, there’s already whispers once again about Giannis [Antetekounmpo]. And somebody out of the blue said, keep an eye on Ja this summer.”
If the Grizzlies have grown tired of Ja Morant off the court, similar to the Mavericks and Doncic, here are six teams that could pursue the two-time All-Star.
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Houston Rockets
For months, the Houston Rockets were linked to a potential Jimmy Butler trade. However, as we got closer to the trade deadline reports claimed Houston wanted to stand pat with this roster and see how they do in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. If they disappoint in the postseason, pursuing Ja Morant is very possible.
They have good assets to offer Memphis in a deal, and the idea of Ja Morant and All-Star Alperen Sengun teaming up for the next decade would certainly excite Rockets fans.
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Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic are a talented young team with a great defense. However, they seem one big piece away from being a serious threat in the East. A potential trade could center on Franz Wagner, other young talents, and draft picks heading to the Grizzlies. Paolo Banchero becoming the No. 2 option behind Morant would be a far better role for him and the team long-term.
- Ja Morant stats (2024-25): 20.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.3 SPG, 32% 3PT
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have been linked to every big star in trade rumors for the last few years. Sooner or later they are going to pull the trigger on a big deal to land one. Targeting Morant if he became available seems likely. And Tyler Herro’s value has increased after an All-Star season. Boosting what Miami can offer in the package sent to Memphis. A starting five featuring Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins, and Ja Morant would be a problem in the East next season.
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Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are one of the biggest surprises in the NBA this season thanks to head coach JB Bickerstaff and another breakout season for Cade Cunningham. The organization seems primed to make some big moves in the coming years. Targeting Ja Morant would make sense for Detroit. Furthermore, Bickerstaff has boosted the value of the young players on the Pistons roster. Making a trade far more realistic now than it would have been a year ago.
- Ja Morant contract: Five years, $197.2 million
Utah Jazz
Ja Morant would not be thrilled about a trade to the Utah Jazz, but he does not have a no-trade clause in his deal. The Jazz have more than enough draft assets to get talks started with the Grizzlies. If Memphis saw value in one-time All-Star Lauri Markkanen, a package featuring him and a bunch of picks might be enough to get a deal done.
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Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are at a crossroads and badly need a long-term face of the franchise. Both DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine are gone and Nikola Vucevic is likely to be traded in the summer. An offseason pursuit of a modern-era player that most resembles franchise great Derek Rose would certainly galvanize Chicago’s fanbase to care again.
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Ja Morant Trade Prediction
The idea of the Memphis Grizzlies trading Ja Morant seems ludicrous. But as mentioned before, after the Mavericks moved on from Luka Doncic, all bets are off. The organization has gone through a lot with the guard the last two seasons and could feel he is a problem they can’t fix.
However, that is still very unlikely. Expect Morant to be playing in Memphis for at least the next two and a half seasons.