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Memphis Grizzlies’ Lottery Luck Changes Have 'No Impact' on Ja Morant’s Future
Ja Morant (Image Credits: Imagn)

Memphis Grizzlies’ Lottery Luck Changes Have 'No Impact' on Ja Morant’s Future

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Nitish Kumar Singh  |  Last updated May 13, 2026 4:10 PM ET
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The Memphis Grizzlies may have landed one of the biggest surprises of the NBA Draft Lottery, but it apparently does not change the organization’s thinking surrounding Ja Morant.

Memphis jumped all the way to the No. 3 overall pick despite entering lottery night with the sixth-best odds. 

However, the result immediately shifted attention toward how quickly the franchise could reshape its roster around a new young core. All of that with multiple draft assets and significant financial flexibility entering the offseason.

Now, though, new reporting suggests the Grizzlies’ plans regarding Morant were already moving in a very different direction regardless of where the lottery balls landed.

According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon on The Hoop Collective podcast, Memphis still intends to explore trading Morant this offseason despite securing a top-three pick.

“I can say the lottery results will have no impact on the approach moving forward with Ja Morant,” MacMahon said. “They’re going to try to find a home for Ja regardless of where they ended up in the lottery.”

The revelation came amid what is already shaping up as a transformational summer for Memphis. Morant, once standing front and center as the unquestioned centerpiece of the franchise, appeared in only 20 games this season as he kept struggling with injuries and constant trade speculation. 

Despite all that, he still averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists, but the organization’s timeline now appears increasingly focused on younger long-term pieces.

With Zach Edey, Cedric Coward, and the incoming No. 3 pick potentially becoming the foundation moving forward, Memphis may be preparing for a complete reset. 

Chicago Bulls Land Ja Morant In Latest Trade Proposal 

The Chicago Bulls may have found themselves at the center of one of the wildest trade ideas of the offseason after a new proposal linked them to Ja Morant and the No. 3 overall pick.

With Morant’s future suddenly becoming hazy, speculation surrounding possible landing spots has exploded. The Memphis Grizzlies reportedly remain open to evaluating his market after another frustrating season filled with injuries, inconsistency, and internal tension.

Now, a proposed blockbuster from Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey has put forth a dramatic scenario in the conversation.

The deal would send Morant and Memphis’ No. 3 overall pick to Chicago in exchange for Patrick Williams, Isaac Okoro, Rob Dillingham, and the Bulls’ No. 4 overall pick.


Ja Morant (Image Credits: Imagn)

However controversial, from Chicago’s perspective, the gamble is obvious. Morant is still only 26 years old, despite an ugly stretch that saw him play fewer games last season while maintaining a decent average. Injuries, suspensions, and questions surrounding his long-term fit in Memphis have hurt his value, but his ceiling remains incredibly high for a franchise still searching for a true superstar centerpiece.

Pairing Morant with Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis while also keeping a top-three selection could instantly accelerate Chicago’s rebuild.

The bigger question is whether Memphis would seriously consider the return package.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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