It is now official: the Memphis Grizzlies are willing to listen to trade offers for star guard Ja Morant.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday that the franchise is “entertaining offers” for the two-time All-Star ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline, adding that Memphis is seeking draft capital and young talent in any potential return.
Can the Bucks Trade for Ja Morant?
One team surfaced as a possible suitor is the Milwaukee Bucks, who are looking to upgrade their roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo and make a serious push in the Eastern Conference.
However, one of Milwaukee’s emerging young contributors, Ryan Rollins, is not expected to be included in any deal, which could weaken the Bucks’ ability to put together a compelling package for Memphis.
“As the Bucks explore the market for potential upgrades, it’s important to note that the team is not expected to make 23-year-old breakout guard Ryan Rollins available in trade discussions,” NBA insider Jake Weinbach said. “Rollins has become a core piece of Milwaukee’s foundation for the foreseeable future.”
Rollins is on a team-friendly contract, earning $4 million annually through next season with a player option for the same amount in 2027-28. He is averaging 17.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.6 steals in 31.8 minutes per game — all career-highs — giving the Bucks much-needed stability at point guard after moving on from Damian Lillard in the offseason.
Any deal involving Morant would be complicated by his salary, which sits at $39.4 million this season and escalates to $42.1 million and $44.8 million over the next two fully guaranteed years. He is also eligible for a three-year, $178 million extension this summer.
It has been a difficult season for Morant, who is shooting just 40.1% from the field and 20.8% from 3-point range, both career lows. His 19.0 points per game mark is his lowest since his rookie campaign.
Morant has appeared in only 18 games this season due to injuries, and a reported one-game suspension following a postgame exchange with coach Tuomas Iisalo in November has been cited as a significant source of his frustration with the organization.
Morant has also been at the center of multiple controversies that resulted in suspensions, while his injury concerns have continued to mount after playing just 59 total games over the previous two seasons.
