With the NBA mid-season trade window a few days away, the Ja Morant sweepstakes have become one of the most talked-about storylines as the Memphis Grizzlies navigate turmoil on and off the court. Morant, a two-time All-Star and franchise cornerstone, has missed much of the 2025-26 campaign after suffering a strained right calf that has sidelined him for 11 of Memphis’ last 12 games.
Through 12 games this season, Morant is averaging 17.9 points, 7.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game while shooting a career-low 35.9 % from the field and 16.7 % from three, well below his typical All-Star production. Memphis, currently sitting ninth in the Western Conference, has seen its win-loss record dip to 11-13 with Morant’s availability still up in the air.
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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) and head coach Tuomas Iisalo.Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Amid the rough start to the season, speculation over Morant’s future has drawn interest from several teams around the league. The Minnesota Timberwolves have been frequently mentioned as a potential suitor, considering a dynamic backcourt pairing with Anthony Edwards, and the Sacramento Kings have also monitored the situation as an intriguing opportunity should Memphis decide to move its star guard (via Sam Amick of The Athletic).
Other teams have also been floated in various NBA rumors, though nothing concrete has emerged into formal negotiations as of this writing.
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Among teams logically connected to Morant was the Houston Rockets, who face a clear need for a natural point guard after veteran Fred VanVleet suffered a season-ending torn ACL. However, Amick noted in a new report that Houston is not interested in pursuing Morant this trade window.
“League sources say they’re not interested in pursuing Memphis’ Ja Morant despite having lost veteran point guard Fred VanVleet for the season with a torn ACL,” Amick reported on Thursday.
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This suggests the Rockets are content to rely on their current core rather than make a blockbuster move.
Interestingly, this news comes just over a month after Rockets star Kevin Durant and Tee Morant, Ja’s father, had a public exchange during the Grizzlies’ home loss to Houston on Nov. 5. Durant was caught on camera taunting [Tee] Morant with the message, “Your son don’t wanna be here. We know it’s your last weekend!”
With Morant not in the team’s future plans, at least for now, the Rockets (15-6) appear to be sticking with young All-Star playmaker Amen Thompson as their lead ball-handler while pursuing championship aspirations around Durant and center Alperen Sengun.
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Meanwhile, the Grizzlies continue to navigate their season without Morant on the floor, leaving his long-term future under increased league-wide speculation amid trade chatter and questions about fit and health.
Related: NBA Announces Ja Morant’s Move for Grizzlies Game
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.