The NBA trade landscape shifted sharply on Friday after reports emerged that the Memphis Grizzlies are open to listening to offers for two-time All-Star Ja Morant ahead of the February 5 trade deadline.
Shams Charania of ESPN reported that multiple teams have entered exploratory talks, with rival executives believing Memphis would prioritize draft capital and young players in any potential return.
While a deal is far from certain, the availability of a player of Morant’s calibre, under contract through the 2027-28 season, has immediately sparked league-wide speculation about possible landing spots.
Morant remains one of the NBA’s most explosive guards, but injuries and off-court concerns have complicated his long-term outlook in Memphis. The Grizzlies have gone 10-9 without him in the lineup this season, compared to 6-12 when he plays, a split that has only fueled debate about the franchise’s direction.
Ja Morant’s Contract and Value at a Crossroads
Morant is under contract through the 2027-28 season, earning $39.4 million this year, $42.1 million in 2026-27 and $44.8 million in the final year of his deal. He is also eligible to sign a three-year, $178 million extension this summer.
On the court, his production has dipped by recent standards. Through 18 games, he is averaging 19.0 points and 7.6 assists in 28.3 minutes per contest, while shooting a career-low 40.1% from the field and 20.8% from three-point range.
One team emerging from early speculation is the Milwaukee Bucks. According to Forbes reporter Evan Sidery, Milwaukee are a team to monitor as they remain firmly committed to maximizing their championship window around Giannis Antetokounmpo.
That urgency was reinforced recently when Antetokounmpo told Sam Amick of The Athletic that he would never ask to be traded from Milwaukee, effectively signaling the franchise’s intent to continue pushing forward.
Sidery notes that a workable salary-matching framework could include Kyle Kuzma ($22.4M), Bobby Portis ($13.4M) and Ryan Rollins ($4M). He added that if the Bucks were willing to include their 2031 first-round pick, discussions would be expected to intensify.
Miami Heat Monitoring Situation Closely
The Miami Heat are believed to be another team firmly on the radar, though their pursuit hinges on a significant variable. Sidery reports that Miami’s interest depends on whether the NBA clears the franchise to use Terry Rozier’s contract in a trade.
Rozier’s $26.6 million expiring deal would be central to any Morant framework, allowing Miami to match a substantial portion of Morant’s $39.4 million salary without sacrificing multiple rotation players.
The Heat recently opted not to waive Rozier before the league deadline on Wednesday, a decision that ensured the full value of his contract would remain on the books for salary-matching purposes.
The 31-year-old has been inactive since October after being placed on league leave following his arrest on federal gambling-related charges.
League approval for a trade involving Rozier has not yet been formally confirmed, but Miami are believed to be confident that such a deal would not be blocked.
NBA reporter Brett Siegel has also identified the Heat as a potential landing spot for Morant, while noting the Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves as additional teams to watch.
“Morant is expected to generate interest around the league over the next three weeks, leading up to the NBA trade deadline, with the Sacramento Kings, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Miami Heat being teams that have previously expressed interest in the Grizzlies’ star guard, league sources told ClutchPoints,” Siegel reported.
From Memphis’ perspective, multiple paths remain on the table. Charania reports that the Grizzlies are evaluating a future built around a growing group of young contributors, including Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer, alongside 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr.
At the same time, the organization is believed to have not ruled out continuing with Morant as a centerpiece of a broader retool.
Major Update Emerges on Ja Morant Trade Destinations