Grizzlies GM: ‘We Are Not Trading Ja Morant’

Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman told NBA reporter Drew Hill of The Daily Memphian the franchise is not trading star point guard Ja Morant. 

Kleiman’s comments come after NBA writer Howard Beck of The Ringer said execs have told him to keep an eye on Morant being a potential trade candidate. 

I reached out to Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman to see if he would comment about the recent speculation around Ja. Here’s what he had to say:

“I can’t blame other “executives” for fantasizing about us trading Ja. But it’s just that – fantasy. We are not trading Ja. Continue to…

— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) February 19, 2025

Memphis signed Morant to a five-year, $197 million extension in 2022. Morant will make $39,446,090 next season. 

One of the most athletic players in the NBA, Morant played in only nine games last season due to a suspension and shoulder injury.

The two-time All-Star showed a gun on IG Live twice in 2023.

Morant seems to have turned the corner off the court, as he hasn’t gotten in trouble in a while. The 25-year-old is averaging 20.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 7.4 assists this season for Memphis while shooting 44.7% from the field, 32.1% from beyond the arc and 81.0% from the free-throw line. 

The Grizzlies are 36-18 at the All-Star break. They are in second place in the Western Conference standings. 

A South Carolina native, Morant has career averages of 22.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.4 assists. He won the 2020 Rookie of the Year Award and the 2022 Most Improved Player of the Year Award. 

After the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, no player in the NBA is untouchable except for San Antonio Spurs youngster Victor Wembanyama.

Memphis has made the playoffs three times in the Morant era. The franchise has lost in the first round twice and in the second round once.