Ja Morant has spoken for the first time after the rumors of his trade strengthened across the league. The Memphis Grizzlies have opened discussions regarding the offers for the athletic guard, while the teams assess his value against the backdrop of Trae Young’s recent deal.
Morant has reportedly been cleared to play in Europe against the Orlando Magic in the NBA’s international games, to be held in Berlin and London on January 15 and 18, respectively. Before the practice round, the guard spoke to the media and said that he will “probably” play the Berlin and London games.
As per the Grizzlies reporter Michael Wallace, when asked about the situation around his future in the league, Morant asserted:
“I’m positioned to deal with it.”
Trae Young’s trade returns have already brought down the ceiling of the mid-season trade, and Morant’s constant struggle with injuries has not helped his cause. He was sidelined for the last five games due to a right calf strain, while Jaren Jackson Jr. has taken up the duty in his absence. The team is 11-10 without Morant this season.
Minnesota and Sacramento not willing to sacrifice much for Ja Morant
As per reports, the Sacramento Kings and the Minnesota Timberwolves have interest in Ja Morant but were not willing to give up much for him. NBA analyst Jake Fischer reported:
“The Kings are not expected to make an aggressive offer for Ja Morant, and the Timberwolves are not expected to trade their depth for a point guard.”
Morant’s on and off-court antics in the past have been a major point of contention in the team’s interest in signing him. Although his ability to get to the rim and make unforeseen plays is unmatched, it comes at a cost, as he has played just 77 games in the last three seasons due to recurring injuries.
All those things have created a negative atmosphere for his prospects in the NBA. Even though the Timberwolves have been hurt due to the absence of a dedicated starting point guard, they weren’t willing to sacrifice their depth for Morant. That says a lot about his trade value. For now, patience is the only option for him.
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