Copyright GIVEMESPORT
Every season, it seems as though a different NBA superstar becomes unhappy with his team and starts indicating that he'd prefer to be traded elsewhere. So far in the 2025-26 season, that player is Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant. Morant is averaging a career-low 30.6 minutes per game through 10 games this season, and is putting up just 19.2 points per game — his worst scoring season since 2020-21. He's also shooting a career-low 35.8 percent from the field, and a putrid 14.8 percent from beyond the arc. *Career-low Morant has been visibly upset with his usage this year, punctuated by a postgame rant directed at Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo following a loss to the L.A. Lakers on Oct. 31. When asked about what went wrong in the loss, the two-time All-Star steered the blame towards Iisalo and his staff after scoring just eight points on the night. "Go ask them. They had a whole spiel in here, so…” The 26-year-old insinuated that the coaching staff would prefer he not play when reporters followed up with a question about what the team could have done differently. “According to them, probably don’t play me, honestly. That’s what basically the message was, after. It’s cool." The Grizzlies suspended Morant for one game for the rant, citing "conduct detrimental to the team." He's down to just 16.8 points and 28.8 percent shooting since the suspension. Memphis has struggled to start the year, currently sitting 10th in the Western Conference with a 4-7 record. The Grizzlies have gone 1-4 since Morant's postgame comments. While the former Murray State standout has not publicly requested a trade, many around the NBA are speculating about Morant's future in Tennessee. On Monday, NBA insider Marc Stein poured some water on the rumors swirling around a possible trade, reporting that Memphis is not considering dealing their star guard just yet. “To this point, there has been no indication emanating from Memphis that the Grizzlies want to entertain trade offers for Ja Morant,” Stein said on the All NBA Podcast. “They’re trying to get healthy. They believe that when healthy, they’ll be competitive even in the tough West. And also, Ja is so popular in Memphis. He is absolutely beloved." But there is still plenty of reason to think Morant might want out, and it's hard to see Memphis' patience running much longer, considering the player's controversial past, littered with off-court issues. The Grizzlies should entertain offers soon if they're not able to turn things around before the trade deadline. Morant is in the third year of a five-year, $197-million extension he signed with Memphis in 2022 that will see him earn $39 million this season. Here are three teams we think would be ideal landing spots for Ja Morant. 1 Toronto Raptors The Toronto Raptors feel like they're a star point guard away from contending in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately for them, Immanuel Quickley has not looked like the reliable ball-handler they trusted him to be when they signed him to a five-year, $175 million extension in 2024. The Raptors are also one of the worst teams this season at getting to the rim — an area in which Morant excels. He'd also give Toronto some more playmaking from the backcourt, taking some of that burden off of Scottie Barnes. Morant is not a reliable three-point shooter by any means, and this roster would struggle with spacing at times, but they can likely make up for it with the sheer athleticism and shot-making ability that the likes of Morant, Barnes and Brandon Ingram provide. A package including R.J. Barrett and Gradey Dick should get Memphis' attention. 2 Minnesota Timberwolves Just imagine a backcourt consisting of Ja Morant and Anthony Edwards. The Minnesota Timberwolves would lead the league in highlights-reel plays — including posters — per game. We're not sure how the dynamic would work, but would it ever be entertaining! The Timberwolves seem unconvinced about Rob Dillingham being their future starting point guard, despite trading up into the top-10 to draft him in 2024. Bones Hyland, who has been getting the bulk of the minutes at point guard so far this year, is simply not good enough for anyone to take this team seriously in the West. Morant's playmaking ability could be a great compliment to Edwards' aggressive and athletic scoring style, and Ja would fit right into Chris Finch's defensive schemes. With Mike Conley close to retirement, Minnesota needs a succession plan at the one, and it's hard to think of another player that can extend their championship contention window like Morant would. We'd imagine Dillingham would be the centerpiece of this deal, but the money might be hard to work out without including some of Minnesota's bigger contracts. 3 Miami Heat No NBA franchise is better at getting players to buy in to a system and culture than the Miami Heat, which might be exactly what Morant needs to get his career back on track. Veteran head coach Erik Spoelstra has his Heat playing at a high level this season, and without star guard Tyler Herro. Miami plays at the fastest pace in the NBA, which would fit Morant's style perfectly. He would also add some playmaking that the Heat don't have very much of at the moment. The Heat love to attract big stars, and who wouldn't want to live in Miami, but Morant would certainly need to adapt his personality to a team that encourages the collective over individuality. If Memphis is interested in a package around Kel'el Ware or Kasparas Jakucionis, this could be a really fun move.
