NBA Rumors: Trade Rumors About Ja Morant Squashed by the general manager of the Grizzlies
Zach Kleiman, general manager of the Memphis Grizzlies, is strongly denying a recent notion that Ja Morant would be a trade candidate this summer.
Kleiman described the reports as "nonsense" and stated that he will not give them any "oxygen" in an interview with Drew Hill of The Daily Memphian.
Howard Beck of The Ringer first raised the prospect of Morant being traded, pointing out that an NBA executive advised them to "keep an eye" on Morant as a possible trade candidate this summer in case the Grizzlies faltered early in the playoffs.
I reached out to Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman to see if he would comment about the recent speculation around Ja. Here’s what he had to say:
— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) February 19, 2025
“I can’t blame other “executives” for fantasizing about us trading Ja. But it’s just that - fantasy. We are not trading Ja. Continue to…
With so many talented young players on the Grizzlies roster, dealing Morant would seem like a dumb decision. This season's top eight players in terms of points per game are all 26 years of age or younger.
As the point guard, Morant is the group's main motivator. He has been averaging at least 20 points and seven assists per game for the past four seasons.
There aren't any clear financial issues that would lead the Grizzlies to alter their squad so drastically. Their pay obligations for the upcoming season are just $135.9 million, which is over $52 million less than the $187.9 million anticipated tax threshold.
Eleven players, including Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane, are under contract at that time.
Given that the 2025–2026 season is the last year of his current contract, Jackson may sign an extension this summer. Actually, unless he makes the All-NBA team or wins Defensive Player of the Year this season—both of which appear doubtful at this point—it would be financially advantageous for him to wait until the summer of 2026 to sign a new contract.
After his reputation suffered after two instances in which he was spotted brandishing a gun in social media posts, Morant has been an excellent teammate thus far this season.
He received suspensions for both events, including a 25-game NBA ban to begin the 2023–24 season.
Throughout his career, Morant has been concerned about availability and injuries. Only once, in his debut season of 2019–20, did he play more than 67 games in a season.
Since Morant joined the league, the Grizzlies have advanced to the postseason three times. They lost to the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals after their only postseason series win in the 2022 first round.
At the All-Star break this season, Morant has guided the Grizzlies to the second-best Western record (36-18).
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