The Minnesota Timberwolves are not among the teams actively pursuing Ja Morant this offseason, with the franchise deciding to look elsewhere for backcourt help.
Timberwolves beat reporter Jon Krawczynski reported Tuesday that Minnesota “has not been in the Ja Morant mix” and that the team’s “decision was made to look elsewhere for backcourt help.” The update removes one potential landing spot as the Memphis Grizzlies evaluate trade options involving their former franchise centerpiece.
Morant’s trade market has become one of the biggest storylines of the offseason after Memphis entered a major roster transition. The Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane to Orlando in 2025 and moved Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah in February 2026, leaving Morant as the last major piece from the group that helped the franchise become a Western Conference contender.
Memphis finished the 2025-26 season with a 25-57 record, the third-worst mark in the Western Conference, and missed the postseason. The Grizzlies ended the year on an eight-game losing streak as they shifted toward a possible rebuild.
Morant, who is entering the fourth season of his five-year, $197 million extension, played only 20 games last season but remained productive when available. He averaged 19.5 points, 8.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per game, while shooting 41.0% from the field and 23.5% from three-point range. His 89.7% free-throw shooting remained an elite part of his offensive profile.
Minnesota’s decision comes after a season in which the Timberwolves remained competitive without adding another high-usage guard. They finished 49-33, earned the No. 6 seed in the West and reached the conference semifinals before falling to the eventual conference champion San Antonio Spurs in six games.
Morant has still drawn interest from teams looking for a star-level creator. Veteran NBA insider Sam Amick previously identified the New Orleans Pelicans as a likely destination while also mentioning the Sacramento Kings and Timberwolves as possible suitors. The Pelicans finished 26-56 and could explore pairing Morant with Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III.
Sacramento also remains a potential fit as the Kings look for a new direction after finishing 22-60. Unlike Minnesota, the Kings are rebuilding rather than trying to maintain a contender-level roster.
