Memphis Grizzlies Not Looking To Trade Ja Morant

The Memphis Grizzlies are not looking to trade Ja Morant, according to NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN.

The Grizzlies are 4-9 on the season and Morant was suspended one game due to conduct detrimental to the team.

“I have not heard that Morant is available,” Windhorst said on The Rich Eisen Show. “I don’t know everything. I wouldn’t say I know everything that’s going on. But I have not heard he’s available.”

Morant “hates” playing for Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo, sources told DallasHoopsJournal. Morant is not a fan of Iisalo’s strategy of playing lineups in short shifts and then mass substituting, sources said. It has prevented Morant from getting his legs underneath him and developing a rhythm on the court.

A two-time All-Star, Morant doesn’t have a good relationship with Iisalo, sources said. The Grizzlies fired Taylor Jenkins last season and named Iisalo the head coach.

Morant will make $39.4 million this season, $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. The Murray State product, who also won the 2021-22 Most Improved Player of the Year Award, is averaging 18.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game this season while shooting 35.2% from the field, 16.7% from beyond the arc and 95.4% from the free-throw line.

Morant, 26, has career averages of 22.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game in the NBA. He was the second overall pick in the 2019 draft.

One of the most athletic players in the NBA, Morant and his camp, at this juncture, haven’t thought about requesting a trade, sources said. The point guard recently said he’s not playing with any “joy.”

Morant doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.