The Memphis Grizzlies seem destined to part ways with their franchise player. Suspensions, injuries, and a general lack of effort have caught up to Ja Morant, and patience is wearing thin.
Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, Morant’s value around the league has never been lower. Once a young All-Star primed to be the face of the NBA, Morant’s stock has fallen, and he is no longer considered a top-ten point guard.
Of course, he is still a star who is capable of routinely scoring 25 points, even if he’s off to a slow start. The Grizzlies added four draft picks this summer in exchange for Desmond Bane and are at a crossroads: do they go all-in with their current core, or do they rebuild?
Apparently, the team has plans for both scenarios.
GettyMEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 07: Tuomas Iisalo head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies talks with Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half against the Dallas Mavericks during the 2025-2026 Emirates NBA Cup game at FedExForum on November 07, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Wes Hale/Getty Images)
Memphis Grizzlies’ Trade Goals Revealed
As Morant gets tossed around in rumors and mock trades, the Grizzlies must monitor Jaren Jackson Jr’s situation. If he commands more value than Morant, trading both players and embracing a rebuild must be on the table.
As a more reliable player with a hard-to-replace skillset, it’s almost a guarantee that Jackson Jr. has more value than Morant. If the Grizzlies opt to shop the former Defensive Player of the Year, their options become clear.
Trading Morant will result in one of two outcomes.
“If Memphis decides to trade Morant, it’s going to want either another star player to sell tickets (could we see a your-problem-for-my-problem trade?) or a boatload of picks and young players to jump-start a rebuild,” reported NBC’s Kurt Helin. “The market for that may not exist, at least not to the level Memphis hopes.”
Memphis won’t get an A-list star like Austin Reaves or Lauri Markkanen for Morant. Still, they could land a different disgruntled player. As rumors continue to heat up, six teams have emerged as possible landing spots.
Options for Memphis Grizzlies to Land a Star
If Memphis decides it wants to land an established star to pair with Jackson Jr., its options are limited. After all, most teams with a core of great players aren’t looking to make a splash.
The Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, and Chicago Bulls are the exceptions.
The Hawks might see Trae Young’s upcoming free agency as an impossible roadblock to navigate. They have been linked to Morant purely to get more long-term stability at the point guard position.
If the Mavericks decide they want to part ways with Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, or Klay Thompson (perhaps even Kyrie Irving), the Grizzlies could be called up. After all, those four players should be able to fit well with Jackson Jr. Morant, meanwhile, would be an exciting running mate for Cooper Flagg.
Finally, the Bulls have taken the East by storm this season. Josh Giddey is thriving in the backcourt with Tre Jones, and Morant would be a clear upgrade. The Bulls could send the currently-injured Coby White to Memphis, allowing the Grizzlies to center on White instead of Morant.
In all of these scenarios, it’s hard to imagine Memphis trading Jackson Jr.
Options for Memphis Grizzlies to Rebuild
If the Grizzlies decide to re-tool, both Morant and Jackson Jr. would be shopped to the highest bidder. Draft picks and young talent would be the sole priority.
Teams like the Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets, and Sacramento Kings emerge as possible landing spots.
The Nets, despite drafting several point guards this summer, don’t really have a centerpiece to build around. They could take it slow and use their war chest of draft picks to build organically, or they could flip the assets for an established player. Morant fits the bill.
The Rockets, unlike Brooklyn, are not rebuilding. In fact, they look poised for a title run all without Fred VanVleet. Reed Sheppard is finding his footing, but a proven point guard would give Houston a boost. Matching Morant’s salary wouldn’t be too tricky. Plus, the Rockets boast more than a fair share of draft picks to finalize a deal.
Finally, the Kings. Sacramento and the Minnesota Timberwolves have long been linked to Morant and appear to be frontrunners, but the Kings have a better chance (I think). Desperate to maximize their current veteran core, Morant is a clear upgrade in the backcourt over Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder. Malik Monk could be swapped for Morant, and the Kings have ample picks to build a trade package.
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