According to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Houston Rockets are not interested in pursuing a trade for Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant.
The Rockets made a blockbuster trade in the offseason, acquiring NBA legend Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns.
However, it doesn’t appear that Houston will make another big trade.
“As has been the case so often in recent years, the Houston Rockets found a way to get what they wanted without shortening the shelf life of the overall team by making desperate moves,” Amick wrote. “That’s been a mantra of sorts for Rafael Stone, who values this young core greatly and has frequently resisted the temptation to reach for overpriced roster shortcuts. (Case in point, league sources say they’re not interested in pursuing Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant despite having lost veteran point guard Fred VanVleet for the season with a torn ACL.)”
The Rockets are 15-6. They are in fourth place in the Western Conference standings.
Houston made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2020. The Golden State Warriors beat the Rockets in the first round in seven games.
Morant is currently out with a right calf strain. It’s unknown when the All-Star will return to the lineup.
The Grizzlies are 11-13. They are in ninth place in the Western Conference standings.
Morant has appeared in 12 games this season. He’s averaging 17.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game while shooting 35.9% from the field, 16.7% from beyond the arc and 94.2% from the free-throw line.
Morant is making $39.4 million this season. He will make $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.
Morant, 26, has career averages of 22.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game in the NBA. He was the second overall pick in the 2019 draft.