The Minnesota Timberwolves have checked in with the Memphis Grizzlies on a Ja Morant trade, according to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.
The Grizzlies recently suspended Morant one game due to conduct detrimental to the team.
Morant “hates” playing for Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo, sources told DallasHoopsJournal. Morant is not a fan of Iisalo’s strategy of playing lineups in short shifts and then mass substituting, sources said. It has prevented Morant from getting his legs underneath him and developing a rhythm on the court.
A two-time All-Star, Morant doesn’t have a good relationship with Iisalo, sources said. The Grizzlies fired Taylor Jenkins last season and named Iisalo the head coach.
Morant will make $39.4 million this season, $42.2 million in the 2026-27 season and $44.9 million in the 2027-28 season, which is the final year of his contract.
The 2019-20 Rookie of the Year, Morant has only led the Grizzlies to the second round of the playoffs once. The Murray State product, who also won the 2021-22 Most Improved Player of the Year Award, is averaging 19.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game this season while shooting 35.8% from the field, 14.8% from beyond the arc and 94.9% from the free-throw line.
Morant, 26, has career averages of 22.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game in the NBA. He was the second overall pick in the 2019 draft.
The Grizzlies are 4-7 on the season. Morant and his camp, at this juncture, haven’t thought about requesting a trade, sources said. The guard recently said he’s not playing with any “joy.”
Morant doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
The Timberwolves have made the Western Conference Finals two years in a row. A backcourt of Morant and Anthony Edwards would certainly be fun to watch.