The Memphis Grizzlies are facing a storyline they never expected this early in the season, and it revolves around their franchise star. Ja Morant has struggled mightily through the opening stretch, and his body language has only added fuel to growing speculation around the league. According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, several teams are already questioning whether Morant’s play is telling a deeper story.
“I will say with Ja, teams that are watching him, and I talked to one of them over the weekend, they’re throwing his current level of play into the trash,” said Lowe. “They’re saying, ‘This looks to us like a guy who wants out.’”
Teams evaluating Morant are choosing to focus less on what he is doing right now and more on his long-term track record. Even that comes with complications, given how many games he has missed in recent years. His inconsistent availability, paired with his slow start, has created a level of uncertainty Memphis has not dealt with since Morant entered the league.
“But, I mean… he’s averaging 18 a game, shooting 36 percent from the field, 17 percent from three, and just looks disengaged for half of every game on both ends of the floor.”
It was not that long ago when Ja was considered one of the best guards in the league. As an explosive and versatile scorer, he was a favorite among fans for his ferocious game and dynamic personality. His style fit perfectly on a Grizzlies team known for its physical identity.
But after a series of controversies derailed Ja’s career, things have never been the same. This season, with averages of 17.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game, his stats are down across the board, and he is playing like a shell of himself.
To make matters worse, he has been at odds with the coaching staff, culminating in a heated altercation that resulted in a one-game suspension. The incident made headlines across the NBA and exposed serious issues in the Grizzlies’ locker room.
Currently, at 4-10, the situation has grown dire in Memphis, and a trade seems inevitable with the way things are trending. Despite his current level of play, teams are willing to look the other way if it means the chance to restore him to his former form.
It remains to be seen which teams will join the Ja sweepstakes, but the Bulls are one destination that makes sense. In one suggested trade deal, Chicago could land Morant and Brandon Clark for Coby White, Patrick Williams, Isaac Okoro, and multiple draft picks.
Another proposed deal sends Ja to the Hawks for Trae Young. It would be a point guard swap, trading star for star in a bid to change each team’s culture and identity.
In the end, if Morant cannot rediscover his focus in Memphis, a separation may be the only path forward for both sides. The Grizzlies need stability, and Ja needs a situation where he can reset his career and rebuild his reputation. Whether that happens in Memphis or elsewhere will depend on how he responds in the coming weeks, but the pressure has never been greater for the former All-Star.
