Overview
- On Monday, multiple ESPN analysts published hypothetical packages that would send Ja Morant to Minnesota for Julius Randle, Terrence Shannon Jr., and Joan Beringer or to Phoenix for Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, Haywood Highsmith, Jamaree Bouyea and two future second‑round picks.
- The Grizzlies are widely reported to be preparing to shop Morant this offseason as the franchise shifts into a rebuild after moving other core pieces and acquiring the No. 3 pick in the 2026 draft.
- Morant’s trade value has fallen because he has been frequently unavailable, playing just 79 games over the past three seasons, and because of multiple off‑court incidents that led to team and league discipline, including public videos in 2023.
- Financially, Morant’s roughly two remaining seasons and $87 million on his contract make trades complex for suitors and could trigger salary‑cap apron penalties for teams like Phoenix that take back significant salary.
- No deal has been reported or confirmed and most analysts describe the ESPN proposals as modest or salary‑dump style offers, leaving Memphis able to wait through the summer for better suitors while contending teams weigh the high upside and clear risks.