The Memphis Grizzlies are an underwhelming 18-25 this campaign, ranking 11th in the Western Conference standings. Little surprise that increasing tension between the team brass and mercurial PG Ja Morant is a thing.
There’s been plenty of speculation about whether Memphis will move the Murray State product ahead of the February 5 trade deadline.
Memphis announced Saturday that Morant is set to miss at least three weeks due to a UCL sprain in his left elbow, but teams looking to improve their backcourts in the second half of the season are still likely to put feelers out to gauge what it will take to acquire him.
So let's look at those Ja Morant trade rumors and drop some mock deals.
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Ja Morant Trade Rumors
Here are two Morant mock trades that could shake things up in the NBA this season.
(All transactions are approved by the ESPN NBA Trade Machine.)
Trade No. 1: Morant to the Pelicans
Will the Pelicans be Ja Morant’s next team? (via PrizePicks Team Picks)
- Winner Payout: Yes 4x | No 1.02x
Team picks data is live as of publishing and is subject to change.
Pelicans Receive:
- Ja Morant (G)
Grizzlies Receive:
- Jordan Poole(G)
- Saddiq Bey (F)
- 2027 first-round pick
According to a report from NBA insider Brandon Robinson, NOLA has been aggressive in its pursuit of the point guard and made an offer that included both Poole and PG Dejounte Murray, who has yet to suit up this season because of an Achilles injury that he suffered last season.
The Grizzlies are reportedly prioritizing young assets and picks, so taking on two large contracts without getting a future first-round pick in return is less than ideal. However, this alternate deal could make more sense for both sides.
Poole is shooting an abysmal 37.0% from the field and is owed just over $34 million in the final year of his contract next season, but Bey, who's in the second season of a three-year, $19 million deal, is in the midst of a resurgent campaign with his highest scoring average (15.9 points per game) since 2021-22.
Both players are under 27 with room to improve, and Memphis will have a pair of first-round picks in each of the next two drafts if New Orleans is willing to part with its 2027 selection.
The Pels are in serious need of a playmaker, as rookie C Derik Queen is leading the Pelicans with a team-high 4.3 assists per game. Morant can step into a distributing role, setting the table for his former high school teammate PF Zion Williamson, SF-PF Trey Murphy III, and others.
Trade No. 2: Morant to the Heat
Will the Hawks be Ja Morant’s next team? (via PrizePicks Team Picks)
- Winner Payout: Yes 4.54x | No 1.04x
Team picks data is live as of publishing and is subject to change.
Heat Receive:
- Ja Morant (G)
Grizzlies Receive:
- Andrew Wiggins (F)
- Davion Mitchell (G)
Rumor has it that Morant prefers to be moved to an Eastern Conference team, and a report confirmed that he was listed as an executor of a trust that purchased a $3.2 million home in Miami earlier this month. While it’s unclear whether the point guard ever intended to make the house his primary residence, his timing is interesting.
Wiggins, G Tyler Herro, and G Terry Rozier are all set to make between $26 and $31 million this season, but the former Golden State Warriors wing might be the easiest to move. The 30-year-old Wiggins has a player option for the 2026-27 season and could free up plenty of cap space for Memphis if he opts out and seeks a more lucrative, long-term deal.
Mitchell can serve as an affordable bonus and has looked like a serviceable, defensive-minded guard while averaging 9.0 points and a career-high 7 assists per game.
For their part, Memphis would bring in a pair of rotation players, while shaking free of the $86.9 million Morant is owed over the next two seasons. Miami’s third-ranked scoring offense is averaging 119.2 points per game and could improve with a more dynamic passer running the show.
Whether Miami’s “Heat Culture” is ready for Morant's off-court issues remains to be seen.
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Make NBA Futures Picks on PrizePicks
There’s been no shortage of NBA action ahead of this year’s trade deadline, and you can make the most of the excitement with PrizePicks.
There is a wide variety of player stat projections on the NBA board, so you can build your Lineup however you’d like — with no salary or positional restrictions. Just pick at least two player stat projections to build your Lineup on PrizePicks.
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