New NBA Report Reveals if Grizzlies Will Trade Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr.

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 12:16 PM ET

The Memphis Grizzlies made a big trade on Sunday, sending Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and one first-round pick swap.

According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Orlando sent Memphis the No. 16 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, its 2026 first-round pick (which includes swap rights with the Phoenix Suns or Washington Wizards) and its 2028 and 2030 unprotected first-round selections.

The pick swap is top-two protected in 2029.

"We are very thrilled to welcome Desmond to the Orlando Magic family," Magic president Jeff Weltman said in a statement. "Over his five years in the NBA, Desmond has distinguished himself as one of the elite guards in our league, and we look forward to his shooting, IQ and wide-ranging skill set in helping our team take a step forward."

After the Grizzlies traded Bane to the Magic, several fans and pundits wondered if Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. would be traded next.

The Oklahoma City Thunder swept Memphis in the first round of this year's playoffs. The Grizzlies have won only one postseason series since drafting Morant and Jackson Jr.

However, according to Tim Bontemps of ESPN, Memphis is not looking to trade Morant or Jackson Jr. after sending Bane to Orlando.

“Sources told ESPN that the Grizzlies are not looking to deal either of their two remaining franchise cornerstones,” Bontemps wrote. “The team has spent the past several months clearing salary cap space to complete a renegotiation and extension of Jackson’s contract this offseason, preventing him from hitting free agency in 2026.

“The belief is that an extension will get done, sources said. But the Bane trade gives Memphis an avenue to give Jackson even more on that deal and lock him in long term.”

Morant played in 50 games this season. He averaged 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.3 assists while shooting 45.4% from the field, 30.9% from beyond the arc and 82.4% from the free-throw line.

Meanwhile, Jackson Jr. averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 blocks in 74 games while shooting 48.8% from the field, 37.5% from 3 and 78.1% from the foul line.

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

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