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We’re just two weeks into the 2025-26 NBA season and Ja Morant is the league’s first superstar linked to trade rumors and the Phoenix Suns are among names included in speculation.
Morant served his one-game suspension issued by the Memphis Grizzlies for “conduct detrimental to the team” from his visible lack of effort and leadership in their 117-112 home loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 31. After the Grizzlies’ third straight loss to Detroit on Nov. 3, Morant addressed his frustration and the speculation about tension with Grizzlies’ first-year coach Tuomas Iisalo.
Ja Morant regarding what happened Friday and the suspension.
On if things have been resolved: “Yeah, they (Tuomas Iisalo) told y’all that right?”
Also says “If I didn’t have a good relationship, I wouldn’t talk to them at all” regarding his relationship with the franchise. pic.twitter.com/BaoNz7gTOp
— Matt Infield (@Matt_Infield) November 4, 2025
Here’s what NBA writers are saying about the Morant trade rumors and the rebuilding Phoenix Suns (3-5).
Bleacher Report: Suns should deal Jalen Green pick for Morant
Eric Pincus wrote: “This one hinges on what the Grizzlies think of Green, an increasingly polarizing player. The 23-year-old is an athletic, high-level NBA scorer who struggled in his first postseason appearance last year with the Houston Rockets, outside of one monster performance in Game 2 vs. the Golden State Warriors. Green is also less expensive than Morant with $105.8 million left on his deal, though he can opt out before the 2027-28 season. The Suns could fill the greater positional need with Morant, giving up the only first they can send (the lowest selection between the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Utah Jazz). Phoenix could profit from the Grizzlies’ drama, on the premise that the Morant situation needs to be resolved before it poisons the rest of the season.”
CBS Sports: Suns don’t have assets to acquire Morant
Sam Quinn said: “Would (Suns owner) Mat Ishbia dive back into the All-Star well after the disaster of his first forays? More pertinently, could he? Sacramento and Miami aren’t exactly overflowing with assets, but the Suns literally do not have a single tradable first-round pick. The best they could do would be swap rights in 2032, secondary swap rights (or, in some cases, tertiary or beyond) on other encumbered picks and players. Does Phoenix have players the Grizzlies would want?.”
Sports Illustrated: Suns don’t need to rush Morant talks
Brendan Mau wrote: “The Suns’ new system under (coach Jordan) Ott seems tailor-made for Green to fit into once he returns, but his impact on Phoenix is completely unknown until he actually plays, especially given his consistency issues in the past. Still, the Suns clearly have a plan for how they are going to utilize Green despite the positional overlap with Booker and are high on his potential. Morant has not fully lived up to his potential the last couple seasons, so like Green, the Suns would have to take a flier on him that he can improve in their system, but he would provide a similar skillset to Green but at the point guard spot instead of the 2. The Suns should wait and see what they have with Green before considering this trade, especially with how disgruntled Morant is, but it could be something they revisit down the line.”
Yahoo Sports: Suns could form elite backcourt with Booker, Morant
Ben Rohrbach said: Think, say, the Suns wouldn’t want to pair Morant with Devin Booker to forge one of the league’s most formidable backcourts? Might the Brooklyn Nets want their first building block for the next iteration of their super-team strategy? Countless teams find themselves in similar situations
Bright Side Of The Sun: Booker better PG than Morant
Kevin Humphreys said: “While Morant is only 26 years old, he has declined in games played and points per game since 2021-22, when he averaged 27.4 points in 33.1 minutes per game. In the past two seasons, he has played a combined 59 games due to injury and suspensions. He is a career 31% 3-point shooter who needs the ball in his hands to be successful because he is not a threat off the ball. Even if the Suns could acquire him, are we sure he is a better fit with Booker over Jalen Green? Booker is a better point guard than Morant at this point in their careers.”