The Memphis Grizzlies are telling teams that they’re “very comfortable” keeping Ja Morant past the 2026 NBA trade deadline, according to Chris Haynes.
The 2026 NBA trade deadline is February 5 at 3 p.m. ET.
“The Memphis Grizzlies have made it clear to other teams that they are very comfortable keeping Ja Morant,” Haynes said. “Trying to think if I believe that or not, but that’s what they’re saying. Are the Memphis Grizzlies willing to give up Ja Morant for a similar Trae Young package? So that’s what makes it tough.”
Morant is making $39.4 million this season. The two-time All-Star and the Grizzlies have mutual interest in parting ways, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.
Memphis is entertaining offers to trade Morant, who doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. Multiple teams are pursuing Morant in trade talks and rival executives believe the Grizzlies are prioritizing draft picks and young players in return.
Morant “hates” playing for Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo, sources said. The point guard is not a fan of Iisalo’s strategy of playing lineups in short shifts and then mass substituting. It has prevented Morant from getting his legs underneath him and developing a rhythm on the court.
Morant has played in 19 games this season. He’s averaging 19.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game while shooting 40.7% from the field, 23.5% from beyond the arc and 89.0% from the free-throw line.
The 2019-20 Rookie of the Year, Morant has led the Grizzlies to the second round of the playoffs just once. That was back in 2022.
Morant, 26, has career averages of 22.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. He was the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Murray State.
It will be intriguing to see if Morant gets traded by the Grizzlies, who currently sit in 11th place in the Western Conference.
Morant has been linked to the Milwaukee Bucks, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans in trade rumors.