The Memphis Grizzlies are facing increased pressure to evaluate their long-term direction, and league personnel expect the franchise to explore potential trade options for Ja Morant, according to reporting from ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.
Morant’s shooting issues have become a major factor in Memphis’ decision-making. He is 10-for-60 from three this season, and that inefficiency has limited his ability to generate consistent offense for a roster that has opened the year 5–11.
A Western Conference scout told ESPN, “I do think they’ll move him,” signaling a growing belief around the league that the Grizzlies will at least test the trade market.
Executives caution, however, that finding proper value could be difficult. Morant remains a high-usage guard averaging 17.9 points and 7.6 assists across 12 games, but his perimeter accuracy and recent calf injury complicate his immediate trade value.
Memphis’ season-long struggles have amplified those concerns. The team has dropped eight of its last ten games, including road losses to New York, Boston, Cleveland and San Antonio, and enters the final stretch of November at 1–6 away from home.
Jaren Jackson Jr. shares the team scoring lead at 17.9 points per game, but Memphis has lacked consistent production outside of Morant and its All-Star forward. Rookie Cedric Coward is contributing 14.6 points on the wing, and Santi Aldama adds 13.5 points and 6.7 rebounds, yet the collective output has not translated into wins.
The Grizzlies’ statistical profile explains the skepticism about their ceiling. Memphis averages 112.8 points per game but allows 117.8, and the group ranks near the bottom of the Western Conference in both offensive efficiency and turnover margin.
Morant’s own turnover rate—3.8 per game—has been a problem for a roster already challenged by spacing issues. With defenses sagging off him on the perimeter, the former All-NBA guard has faced more packed paint coverages than in previous seasons.
Opposing scouts point to Morant’s diminished explosiveness following recent injuries and the lack of improvement in his jumper as reasons the organization may pursue broader structural changes.
Memphis remains committed to evaluating all options, and sources told ESPN the front office is expected to monitor the market carefully over the coming weeks. The franchise is believed to be weighing both short-term competitiveness and long-term roster flexibility amid ongoing uncertainty about Morant’s trajectory.
The Grizzlies snapped an extended skid with a 137–96 win over Sacramento on November 20, but one performance is not expected to alter the organization’s larger strategic discussions. With the trade landscape beginning to take shape leaguewide, all indications suggest Memphis will be active in assessing Morant’s market.
