The Memphis Grizzlies might be acting a bit unrealistic when it comes to a potential trade of Ja Morant.
Memphis is asking for a first-round draft pick as well as a young player in exchange for their star point guard Morant, veteran NBA writer Marc Stein reported Thursday during the “Deals and Dunks” podcast on SiriusXM. Stein also noted that it is difficult to “pinpoint clear-cut suitors” for Morant at this point.
At first glance, a first-round pick and a young player might not be all that unreasonable of an ask for a player with Morant’s resume. He is still only 26 and has already made multiple All-Star teams as well as an All-NBA team.
But given the context surrounding Morant, the Grizzlies would be hard-pressed to find a team willing to offer even that. Thanks to various injuries, Morant has appeared in just 77 total games over the last three seasons (less than one full season’s worth) and is only averaging 19.0 points per game this season even when healthy, marking his lowest total since his rookie year.
On top of that, Morant has a very big contract — he is in the third year of a five-year, $197.2 million extension with the Grizzlies. Morant is also an extremely questionable locker room presence and has clashed with everyone in Memphis this season from head coach Tuomas Iisalo to teammate Vince Williams Jr.
It is clear at this point that Morant is eyeing one particular trade destination (and recently even made an interesting property purchase in that area). But unless the Grizzlies are willing to come down on their asking price some, there is a good chance that the disgruntled Morant could remain in Memphis through the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.
