Ja Morant stayed put at the NBA trade deadline, but that doesn’t mean the Grizzlies have changed course.
According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, Memphis plans to revisit Morant trade talks during the 2026 offseason and still intends to move him at that time. Holding onto him now was more about timing than direction.
That much is clear. The Grizzlies have already cashed in, acquiring seven first-round picks and a first-round swap in deals involving Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. The pivot is on. Memphis is building around a younger core that includes Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, and Jaylen Wells.
What happens next is the tricky part. Morant is currently sidelined with a sprained elbow, an injury not believed to be season-ending.
With Memphis sitting at 20-29 and outside the play-in picture, there will be temptation to lean into the lottery. That could mean extended caution with Morant’s return.
But there is another angle. Getting Morant back on the floor could help restore some value after a season clouded by injuries and inconsistency. SI.com’s Chris Mannix recently noted concerns among teams about availability, attitude, and production, all while Morant remains owed significant money on his max deal.
Those concerns dulled the market at the deadline. Summer offers may look different, depending on who flames out early and who gets desperate. Memphis is betting patience will pay.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
