Trade chatter around Grizzlies’ Ja Morant grows louder, again

Ja Morant’s one-game suspension has reignited talk about his long-term fit in Memphis. But this isn’t a brand-new storyline.

Marc Stein of The Stein Line wrote that several rival teams have been monitoring Morant’s situation dating back to the offseason. That is when the Grizzlies gave Jaren Jackson Jr. a massive renegotiation-and-extension — roughly $240 million over five years — but did not pursue a similar extension with Morant.

Morant still has two seasons and more than $87 million left on his current deal. But the messaging has shifted.

Stein noted that GM Zach Kleiman said at media day this was “a big season for Ja” and stressed that to get where Memphis wants to go, Morant needs to be “a consistent All-NBA-caliber player.”

Stein also pointed out Kleiman has very publicly backed coach Tuomas Iisalo throughout this latest ordeal.

So yes, Morant trade talk is back in the news cycle. But the league has been circling this one for months.

One question opposing teams seem to be asking themselves, though, is if Mortant’s talent will actually ever be enough to lead them anywhere great. Or if he’s just a numbers guy and occasional headache.