One-Time NBA Champion Sends Serious Warning to Grizzlies' Ja Morant

Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

One-Time NBA Champion Sends Serious Warning to Grizzlies' Ja Morant

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rolly Gacelo | Last updated Feb 6, 2026 8:29 AM ET

Ja Morant remains a member of the Memphis Grizzlies despite the persistent rumors all season long that his time with the team that drafted him was about to end.

The trade deadline has passed, and the most significant move the team made was sending Jaren Jackson Jr., along with John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr. and Jock Landale, to the Utah Jazz.

The Grizzlies received veterans Georges Niang and Kyle Anderson, young players Walter Clayton Jr. and Taylor Hendricks and three future first-round draft picks in return.

While Morant is still with the Grizzlies, former NBA player-turned-analyst Kendrick Perkins thinks it should be a wake-up call for the high-flying guard.

"He has one foot on the grave, the other on the banana peel when it comes to his career," Perkins said on "NBA Today." "Ja Morant better wake the hell up, because in two years, after this contract, he could find himself out the league."

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant reacts to a play.Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The 2008 NBA champion with the Boston Celtics lamented that Morant’s career appears to be going downhill following reports of his limited trade value.

"It is disturbing to hear that a guy … former Rookie of the Year, All-NBA player, All-Star, a guy that was on the verge of being the face of the league, and a team can’t trade you. … Nobody wants you," he continued.

Morant's name consistently appeared in trade rumors since the start of the season. There were even reports that the Grizzlies were ready to let their two-time All-Star go before the 2025-26 season began.

However, no team came forward to take him, even at the trade deadline. ESPN's Tim McMahon said the Grizzlies star now has an almost “negative value on the trade market” because of his contract and the potential risks stemming from his off-court issues. McMahon added that teams would only take Morant if Memphis included draft picks.

Morant has been on the sidelines since suffering an elbow injury on Jan. 21. He is averaging 19.5 points, 8.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game in 20 appearances for the Grizzlies, who are 20-29 and sit 11th in the Western Conference.

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

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