Dec 15, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Grizzlies GM Breaks Silence on Unexpected Ja Morant Trade News

Originally posted on Memphis Grizzlies on SI
By Logan Struck | Last updated Feb 19, 2025 3:42 PM ET

The Memphis Grizzlies have had an impressive 2024-25 campaign, sitting in second place in the West at the All-Star break with a 36-18 record. Not counting an injury-plagued 2023-24 season, the Grizzlies have consistently been one of the top teams in the conference since drafting Ja Morant second overall in 2019.

Despite their regular season success, the Grizzlies have not been as productive in the postseason. This has led to unexpected discussions around a potential Ja Morant trade in the offseason.

An NBA executive pegs Ja Morant as a star to “keep an eye on” as a potential trade candidate this summer if the Grizzlies flame out early, per @HowardBeck on @ringer.

“I'm constantly checking in with executives around trade deadline about like, okay, what we saw, what we didn't… pic.twitter.com/QL3LXpgMSa
— APHoops (@APH00PS) February 18, 2025

The Ringer's Howard Beck reported that an NBA executive said to "keep an eye on Ja this summer," suggesting the Grizzlies could look to move him if they have another underwhelming postseason.

Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman turned down the idea of the franchise trading away their star point guard following the outlandish report.

"I can’t blame other 'executives' for fantasizing about us trading Ja," Kleiman said. "But it’s just that - fantasy. We are not trading Ja. Continue to underestimate Ja, this team, and this city, and we will let our performance on the floor speak for itself. I’m not going to give this nonsense further oxygen and look forward to getting back to basketball."

I reached out to Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman to see if he would comment about the recent speculation around Ja. Here’s what he had to say:

“I can’t blame other “executives” for fantasizing about us trading Ja. But it’s just that - fantasy. We are not trading Ja. Continue to…
— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) February 19, 2025

Morant, 25, has cemented himself as one of the league's top guards, and a franchise like the Grizzlies does not stumble upon this type of talent easily. The Grizzlies won by selecting him second overall five years ago, and giving him up would be an odd decision by the franchise.

This article first appeared on Memphis Grizzlies on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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