The Memphis Grizzlies haven’t traded Ja Morant with a little over 24 hours left before the Thursday trade deadline. However, rumors linking him to the Miami Heat have only intensified.
NBA insider Tomer Azarly, reported on Wednesday that South Beach is Morant’s “preferred trade destination.” Azarly noted that the Memphis Grizzlies showed unwillingness to give the two-time All-Star a $178 million contract extension, a deal Miami is willing to give.
According to Azarly and Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Ilko, the Grizzlies aren’t doing Ja Morant any favors. Both wrote that Memphis is looking for the best return for the controversial guard.
“Morant’s team is essentially in the dark on trade talks right now. … The Grizzlies aren’t necessarily working collaboratively with Morant and will trade him to where they get the best package,” Azarly emphasized.
Multiple reports have surfaced indicating that, in addition to the Heat, the Sacramento Kings and the Milwaukee Bucks are also interested in Ja Morant.
Tomer Azarly noted that Sacramento is entertaining a Morant trade if it can get off the contracts of DeMar DeRozan ($24.5 million) or Malik Monk ($18.7 million). However, Azarly underlined Morant’s disinterest in playing for the Kings.
Based on the reports, it seems like Ja Morant wants to stay in Memphis or go to Miami, where he can get a lucrative extension, if traded. Kalshi Hoops tweeted that Morant has a 53% chance of ending up with the Heat by Thursday.
Morant is seemingly moving on to the Heat or any team that offers the best package. After the Grizzlies traded Jaren Jackson Jr. on Tuesday to the Utah Jazz, Morant, the co-foundational piece, is likely the next to go.
Grizzlies’ expected asking price for Ja Morant has “dropped significantly,” per NBA insider
Marc Stein, via The Stein Line, and Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reported in January that the Grizzlies wanted at least one first-round pick for Ja Morant. The NBA insiders’ reports came after the Atlanta Hawks traded Trae Young to the Washington Wizards without getting a first-round draft asset.
Memphis can’t seem to get its asking price for Morant, a reason why a Young-like deal could happen. Jake Fischer, another NBA insider, tweeted on Wednesday:
“The Grizzlies’ asking price for Ja Morant has dropped significantly, sources say. If we do end up seeing Memphis’ former All-Star point guard dealt over the next 72 hours, a team like Sacramento or Miami is going to do so at a low cost.”
Morant has said on multiple occasions that he wants to remain in Memphis. It might not be long before he gets a change of scenery at a lower cost than what the Grizzlies would have wanted.
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