Overview
- Multiple NBA insiders reported Sunday that the New Orleans Pelicans are the likeliest suitor for Ja Morant while the Sacramento Kings also remain linked to the guard.
- Sources say Memphis and New Orleans have held exploratory conversations and that the Pelicans’ opening proposal was a near-identical salary match using expiring contracts such as Jordan Poole and Jordan Hawkins.
- Morant’s trade value has fallen because he played just 20 games in 2025–26, averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists with a career-low 41% shooting, and served a lengthy suspension for off-court conduct.
- Large cap hits reported by Spotrac (about $42.2 million in 2026–27 and $44.9 million in 2027–28) make matching salaries or three-team deals the likely mechanics for any trade offer.
- Memphis holds multiple high 2026 draft picks and has already traded core pieces, giving the Grizzlies time to wait for a stronger package and creating uncertainty about whether a deal will be struck this summer.