According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Memphis Grizzlies explored a Ja Morant transaction with the Milwaukee Bucks in February.
Memphis desired Ryan Rollins, but Milwaukee was unwilling to make the deal.
Rollins performed admirably for the Bucks this season. He averaged 17. 3 points, 4. 6 rebounds, and 5. 6 assists per game, shooting 47. 2% from the field, 40. 6% from outside the arc, and 79. 6% from the free-throw line.
The Bucks are likely to seek a trade for Morant again this offseason, according to sources who spoke with Roundtable. Milwaukee has recently recruited Taylor Jenkins, the former Memphis head coach, and Morant liked playing for him.
Ja will make $42. 1 million next season and $44 million in the 2027-28 season, the final year of his contract. The 26-year-old does not have a no-trade clause in his deal, thus he has no influence over where the Grizzlies trade him this summer.
In 20 games for Memphis this season, Morant averaged 19. 5 points, 3. 3 rebounds, and 8. 1 assists per game while shooting 41. 0% from the field, 23. 5% from beyond the arc, and 89. 7% from the free-throw line.
Morant, the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year, has only guided the Grizzlies to the second round of the playoffs once. That was in 2022, with Jenkins.
Morant’s career statistics are 22. 4 points, 4. 6 rebounds, and 7. 4 assists each game. Aside from the Bucks, Ja has been connected to the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns in trade rumors.
According to ESPN, Morant has told others that he is no longer playing for the Grizzlies, who picked the guard with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft from Murray State.
Morant, a two-time All-Star, is still upset by the Grizzlies’ decision to ban him earlier this season for behavior detrimental to the club.
Morant is still upset about the suspension, according to many league officials, because he felt isolated by colleagues who were advised to leave the star guard alone so he could address the problems that led to the punishment. Following the incident, Morant told other NBA players and several of his previous coaches that he will no longer play for Memphis, according to ESPN.
It would be interesting to see where Morant plays next season. According to sources, the Grizzlies and Bucks are likely to explore a Morant deal shortly after the 2026 NBA Finals.
Trading for Morant may assist the Bucks in retaining superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.
