Grizzlies’ Ja Morant out until after trade deadline

Ja Morant is headed for another stint on the sidelines, and this one could ripple beyond the court.

The Grizzlies announced Morant will miss at least three weeks with a left elbow UCL sprain suffered Wednesday against Atlanta. He will be reevaluated after that window.

That means Morant will be out until after the Feb. 5 trade deadline.

Morant’s absence hurts a Grizzlies team sitting outside the playoff picture in the West. It may also influence how the front office approaches trade season.

There’s been no shortage of Morant trade chatter, though his contract and injury history made any deal complicated. This latest setback only muddies that further.

At the same time, it could push the Grizzlies toward a broader sell mode, with Jaren Jackson Jr. among the names league execs continue to monitor.

Morant had just found a rhythm again, posting strong outings after returning from a calf injury. He has appeared in only 20 games this season, averaging 19.5 points and 8.1 assists.