{"id":537966,"date":"2026-01-15T08:50:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-15T08:50:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/537966\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T08:50:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T08:50:28","slug":"ja-morants-decision-away-from-memphis-emerges-amid-nba-trade-rumors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/537966\/","title":{"rendered":"Ja Morant&#8217;s Decision Away From Memphis Emerges Amid NBA Trade Rumors"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/tag\/ja-morant\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Ja Morant;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Ja Morant<\/a> has missed the <a href=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/nba\/memphis-grizzlies\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Memphis Grizzlies;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Memphis Grizzlies<\/a>&#8216; last five games due to a calf injury. He has already been ruled out for Thursday\u2019s game against the <a href=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/nba\/orlando-magic\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Orlando Magic;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Orlando Magic<\/a>, marking the 21st game he will sit out for the Grizzlies this season.<\/p>\n<p>It has been a tumultuous campaign for the two-time All-Star. The Grizzlies suspended Morant for one game in November for <a href=\"https:\/\/shopping.yahoo.com\/rdlw?merchantId=c109eac4-825f-483e-8edf-51532ca9e7cb&amp;siteId=us-y4p&amp;pageId=1p-autolink&amp;contentUuid=fe6901df-ccdc-3836-8de6-c118d05035b6&amp;featureId=text-link&amp;merchantName=National+Basketball+Association&amp;linkText=conduct+detrimental+to+the+team&amp;custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uYmEuY29tL25ld3MvamEtbW9yYW50LXN1c3BlbmRlZC1vbmUtZ2FtZS1ieS1ncml6emxpZXMiLCJjb250ZW50VXVpZCI6ImZlNjkwMWRmLWNjZGMtMzgzNi04ZGU2LWMxMThkMDUwMzViNiIsIm9yaWdpbmFsVXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmJhLmNvbS9uZXdzL2phLW1vcmFudC1zdXNwZW5kZWQtb25lLWdhbWUtYnktZ3JpenpsaWVzIn0&amp;signature=AQAAATbvcL8EWiNjjE80OUL4fbmQ6az5AGWACldD0and_IF0&amp;gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nba.com%2Fnews%2Fja-morant-suspended-one-game-by-grizzlies&amp;spaceId=2146352327\" class=\"link  rapid-with-clickid etailiffa-link\" data-i13n=\"elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:National Basketball Association;elmt:\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:conduct detrimental to the team;elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:National Basketball Association;elmt:;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">conduct detrimental to the team<\/a>. Since then, the 26-year-old has been heavily linked to trade rumors away from Memphis.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/nba\/miami-heat\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Miami Heat;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Miami Heat<\/a> have emerged as one of Morant\u2019s potential landing spots. On Wednesday, news surfaced about Morant\u2019s personal decision in Miami.<\/p>\n<p>Morant is currently still under contract with the Grizzlies through 2028. In 2022, he signed a <a href=\"https:\/\/shopping.yahoo.com\/rdlw?merchantId=c109eac4-825f-483e-8edf-51532ca9e7cb&amp;siteId=us-y4p&amp;pageId=1p-autolink&amp;contentUuid=fe6901df-ccdc-3836-8de6-c118d05035b6&amp;featureId=text-link&amp;merchantName=National+Basketball+Association&amp;linkText=five-year+max+extension+worth+%24197+million&amp;custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uYmEuY29tL25ld3MvamEtbW9yYW50LXNpZ25zLWV4dGVuc2lvbi13aXRoLWdyaXp6bGllcyIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZmU2OTAxZGYtY2NkYy0zODM2LThkZTYtYzExOGQwNTAzNWI2Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5uYmEuY29tL25ld3MvamEtbW9yYW50LXNpZ25zLWV4dGVuc2lvbi13aXRoLWdyaXp6bGllcyJ9&amp;signature=AQAAAb9r6mCN0K6ixQ6jHauuUEHvOkMdaLjeh_iqzeXi95p3&amp;gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nba.com%2Fnews%2Fja-morant-signs-extension-with-grizzlies&amp;spaceId=2146352327\" class=\"link  rapid-with-clickid etailiffa-link\" data-i13n=\"elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:National Basketball Association;elmt:\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:five-year max extension worth $197 million;elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:National Basketball Association;elmt:;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">five-year max extension worth $197 million<\/a>, making him the highest-paid player in franchise history.<\/p>\n<p>Morant\u2019s time in Memphis, however, is coming to an end. He previously stated that he no longer found joy playing for the Grizzlies. According to reports, the team is now <a href=\"https:\/\/shopping.yahoo.com\/rdlw?merchantId=8b9dfafd-e7b1-4ac1-bb73-50d55c74d82d&amp;siteId=us-y4p&amp;pageId=1p-autolink&amp;contentUuid=fe6901df-ccdc-3836-8de6-c118d05035b6&amp;featureId=text-link&amp;merchantName=ESPN&amp;linkText=entertaining+offers+for+Morant&amp;custData=eyJzb3VyY2VOYW1lIjoiV2ViLURlc2t0b3AtVmVyaXpvbiIsImxhbmRpbmdVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5lc3BuLmNvbS9uYmEvc3RvcnkvXy9pZC80NzYwODMxMC9qYS1tb3JhbnQtZ3JpenpsaWVzLXRyYWRlLWNoYXR0ZXItbGl2ZS1pdCIsImNvbnRlbnRVdWlkIjoiZmU2OTAxZGYtY2NkYy0zODM2LThkZTYtYzExOGQwNTAzNWI2Iiwib3JpZ2luYWxVcmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5lc3BuLmNvbS9uYmEvc3RvcnkvXy9pZC80NzYwODMxMC9qYS1tb3JhbnQtZ3JpenpsaWVzLXRyYWRlLWNoYXR0ZXItbGl2ZS1pdCJ9&amp;signature=AQAAAeoBDh618dLWWx4WYeqLrzYIkVYiPBjhxdEcLo-Q32ts&amp;gcReferrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com%2Fnba%2Fstory%2F_%2Fid%2F47608310%2Fja-morant-grizzlies-trade-chatter-live-it&amp;spaceId=2146352327\" class=\"link  rapid-with-clickid etailiffa-link\" data-i13n=\"elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:ESPN;elmt:\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:entertaining offers for Morant;elm:affiliate_link;sellerN:ESPN;elmt:;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\">entertaining offers for Morant<\/a> for the first time in his seven years with the Grizzlies.<\/p>\n<p>Advertisement<\/p>\n<p>As it turns out, Morant has already made a move away from Memphis. According to a report by Lucas Finton and Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the All-NBA point guard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.commercialappeal.com\/story\/sports\/nba\/grizzlies\/2026\/01\/14\/ja-morant-buys-miami-home-memphis-grizzlies-trade-nba\/88182932007\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:purchased a $3.2 million home in Miami;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">purchased a $3.2 million home in Miami<\/a> on Dec. 23, 2025. The house is reportedly located approximately four miles (a 20-minute drive) away from the Heat\u2019s Kaseya Center.<\/p>\n<p>The Heat are reportedly interested in trading for Morant and have already <a href=\"https:\/\/www.miamiherald.com\/sports\/nba\/miami-heat\/article314314811.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:entered preliminary talks;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">entered preliminary talks<\/a> with the Grizzlies.<\/p>\n<p>Morant, a former Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player winner, holds career averages of 22.4 points on 46.6% shooting, 4.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.3 triples per game.<\/p>\n<p>This story was originally published by <a href=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/nba\/memphis-grizzlies\/ja-morant-decision-away-memphis-nba-trade-rumors-grizzlies-heat\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Athlon Sports;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Athlon Sports<\/a> on Jan 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the <a href=\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/nba\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:NBA;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">NBA<\/a> section. Add Athlon Sports as a <a href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=athlonsports.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Preferred Source by clicking here.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ja Morant has missed the Memphis Grizzlies&#8216; last five games due to a calf injury. He has already&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":537967,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[3795],"tags":[7,294,178,293,177,4070,189,6,76,181],"class_list":{"0":"post-537966","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-memphis-grizzlies","8":"tag-basketball","9":"tag-grizzlies","10":"tag-ja-morant","11":"tag-memphis","12":"tag-memphis-grizzlies","13":"tag-memphisgrizzlies","14":"tag-miami-heat","15":"tag-nba","16":"tag-orlando-magic","17":"tag-the-grizzlies"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nba\/115898261705132619","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/537966","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=537966"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/537966\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/537967"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=537966"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=537966"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=537966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}