Matt Johnson
The Sacramento Kings were one of the few teams in February linked to NBA trade rumors who seemed to have actual interest in acquiring All-Star point guard Ja Morant. Months later, new information has shed light on why a deal didn’t come to fruition.
According to ESPN‘s Tim MacMahon and Michael C. Wright, the Kings were one of a select number of teams who engaged in negotiations with Memphis ahead of the NBA trade deadline. However, Sacramento wanted Memphis to include a first-round pick in any deal.
Related: Russell Westbrook Addresses Future with Sacramento Kings
- Ja Morant contract (Spotrac): $42.166 million cap hit (2026-27), $44.886 million cap hit (2027-28)
In the past, the Kings were widely viewed as a team that might be likelier to make a questionable deal if it meant acquiring an All-Star player. The most recent example of that came in the De’Aaron Fox trade, when they took fewer future assets to get Zach LaVine in a three-team deal with the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls.
However, under general manager Scott Perry, it appears the franchise is no longer as prone to making such deals. Sacramento seemed to have legitimate interest in acquiring Morant, hopeful a change of scenery would revitalize the career of the All-Star point guard. Clearly, based on this reporting, Sacramento wanted to be compensated by Memphis for taking on Morant’s contract and the injury and off-the-court risks he comes with.
“There will be teams that will feel like they didn’t get what they wanted in the draft or free agency, and that’s when something could happen for Ja.”
Anonymous Western Conference executive to ESPN on the Ja Morant trade market this summer
Unsurprisingly, Morant’s trade value has plummeted in recent years. There is, however, expected to be more interest in him this summer, with teams having more confidence they could integrate him into the team over a full offseason rather than in a mid-season trade.
It’s also possible Sacramento may no longer be one of those suitors. If the Kings land in the four-to-six range of the 2026 NBA Draft, they could either take Houston point guard Kingston Flemings or Arkansas point guard Darius Acuff Jr. In either instance, the team would presumably re-sign Russell Westbrook as a veteran mentor and have no need for Morant.
On the other hand, if Sacramento moves up in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery and lands a wing like AJ Dybantsa or Caleb Wilson, or potentially lands forward Cameron Boozer, then there could be an even greater incentive to acquire Morant for the next two seasons.
