Ja Morant’s 2025-26 season has been marked by limited availability. The 26-year-old guard has appeared in just 18 games, missing 20 of the Memphis Grizzlies’ 39 games due to injuries and a one-game team suspension earlier this season. In those appearances, Morant is averaging 19 points and 7.6 assists, production that falls short of the All-NBA standard he previously set.
Morant most recently missed the Grizzlies’ win over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday due to a right calf contusion, marking his fifth consecutive absence. So far, the Grizzlies are 11-10 in games Morant has missed and 6-12 in games he has played this season.
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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) and head coach Tuomas Iisalo.Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
As the team continues to navigate Morant’s absence, trade rumors involving the superstar guard have gained traction in recent weeks. On Friday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the Grizzlies are open to discussing Morant in trade talks, indicating the organization is willing to listen to offers ahead of the trade deadline.
Amid the rumors, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon shared a blunt assessment of the current relationship between Morant and the franchise during an appearance on the “Hoop Collective” podcast on Monday.
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“Everybody in that arena, much less the locker room, knows they want to get rid of him,” MacMahon said. “The feeling is mutual. It’s reached a point where Ja Morant’s career cannot continue in Memphis.”
Morant was selected No. 2 overall in the 2019 NBA Draft and quickly became the face of the Grizzlies by winning the 2019-20 NBA Rookie of the Year award, earning two All-Star selections and leading the team to four playoff appearances. But his tenure in Memphis has also included multiple league suspensions, recurring injuries and reduced availability in recent seasons.
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Morant remains under contract through the 2027-28 season. However, if the Grizzlies end up trading Morant, it would mark a significant shift for a franchise that has built much of its recent success around him.
Memphis (17-22) visits the Orlando Magic (22-18) at 2 p.m. ET Thursday.
Related: NBA Reacts to Ja Morant’s Performance in Grizzlies’ Loss
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.