Ja Morant Is Getting Traded. The Grizzlies Are Just Waiting for Giannis to Move First.
Ja Morant is on his way out of Memphis. Every league source is saying the same thing. The only thing left to figure out is the timing and the landing spot.
The Grizzlies are reportedly waiting for the Giannis Antetokounmpo situation to resolve before pulling the trigger on a Morant deal. That patience makes sense. Multiple teams that strike out on Giannis will pivot to Morant. If you are Memphis, you want those teams desperate when they come calling.
Miami is the obvious connection. The Heat have been linked to Morant for months as their backup plan. Pat Riley loves a star with attitude. Morant fits the profile.
The other suitors are real. The Pistons would consider a swing for Morant if they think they can pair him with Cade Cunningham. The Pelicans could try to package picks for him. The Magic have explored adding a high-usage guard alongside Paolo Banchero. The Sixers have been mentioned as a dark horse if Tyrese Maxey is on the table.
Morant’s value is complicated by the off-court drama and the injury history. He has missed huge chunks of three of the last four seasons. He had a knee surgery last summer that limited him at the start of 2025-26. He had the gun incidents in 2023 that led to a 25-game suspension.
The talent is undeniable. When Morant is on the floor and healthy, he is one of the five most exciting offensive guards in the league. He averaged 23.6 points and 6.8 assists last season. He shoots 36 percent from three. He is one of the most explosive finishers at his size in NBA history.
The contract works for trades. Morant has three years and $135 million left on his current deal. That is steep, but not crippling. For a contender willing to bet on his health, the number is workable.
The Grizzlies’ reasoning for moving him is straightforward. The team won 29 games last season. The roster around Morant has not developed into a contender. Memphis spent its draft capital on Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells. Both of those guys are role players, not co-stars.
The trade return Memphis wants is built around picks. They want at least two unprotected first-round picks. They want salary back to make the math work. They want at least one young player with All-Star upside. That is the ask. The question is who pays it.
Miami is the favorite if Antetokounmpo lands somewhere else. The Heat have Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, and the Tyler Herro contract to put together a package. The Heat would happily give up Bam Adebayo for the right Giannis or Morant combo, but Bam likely stays in Miami.
The Pistons are the team to watch. They have an absurd amount of cap space, a stockpile of young assets, and a real desire to take a swing on a star. Morant alongside Cunningham would be electric and chaotic in equal measure.
The timing is the wild card. If Giannis moves to Miami in July, Memphis can deal Morant in August. If Giannis stays in Milwaukee through the deadline, Memphis might have to wait until February.
Either way, Morant is leaving Memphis. The Grizzlies are starting over. The next era begins with a return that defines the rebuild.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
