Ja Morant Rumors

The Sacramento Kings are consistently mentioned as one of the few teams — if not the only one — that might decide to get into the Morant business before the Thursday deadline. As of today, I can relay, per team sources, that they have still not completely closed the door on that idea. That being said, the percentage chance of this actually happening was placed in the low-single-digits when I inquired about it pre-Jaren Jackson Jr. trade.

New York Times

The Kings’ minimal interest, for quite some time now, has been directly tied to the idea that Morant's price point might drop so low, they’d be crazy not to do it. Especially if it meant getting off of a contract — like, say, Zach LaVine’s — that has long since been deemed undesirable. (The Grizzlies' willingness, or potential lack thereof, to take LaVine back is unclear.)

New York Times

Anthony Chiang: While the Heat has registered some level of interest in Ja Morant in recent weeks, a league source says the Heat’s focus remains on Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.

x.com

SleeperHoops: Brian Windhorst on Ja Morant “They can use Ja Morant to take on ‘bad money’ and receive assets for that. I think they can have fresh discussions on Ja Morant.” (h/t @ohnohedidnt24)

Twitter

MrBuckBuck: Brian Windhorst: "NBA executives believe the substantial return for Jaren Jackson Jr. could reshape the Memphis Grizzlies’ approach, making them more willing to absorb undesirable contracts alongside draft capital in a potential Ja Morant deal." Video via:

Twitter

Oh No He Didn't: Windy on the JJJ trade: "I talk to executives around the league, they think that this changes what they can expect back in a Ja Morant trade. Instead of trying to trade Ja for as much value as they can which frankly there's not as much value for Ja"

x.com

NBA on ESPN: "[The Grizzlies] are officially turning the page." @ShamsCharania says Memphis is prioritizing its young core and still actively shopping Ja Morant 👀

x.com

The Grizzlies have made Ja Morant available for weeks, but sources have been skeptical of general manager Zach Kleiman finding a deal. Those same sources are more interested in whether Jaren Jackson Jr. could find a new team this week, though the cost to get him out of Memphis is believed to be quite high.

ESPN

I've also been told that Morant would likely be reluctant to sign a contract extension in Sacramento … something that the Kings, sources say, are aware of us well.

marcstein.substack.com

Ian Begley: I still think they're going to be in on Jose Alvarado. I think Yves Missi is on their radar. That's been the case for a little bit a while now. Still think they're outside looking in on Giannis Antetokounmpo and I think that they're going to continue to make calls and see what's available. The interesting thing to me is in Memphis, the Ja Morant situation unsettled, Jaren Jackson Jr. even being mentioned as a guy who could be moved if they decide to go completely opposite direction. So, there are still things out there even outside of Giannis where everybody's kind of waiting and watching for that deadline.

YouTube

Also: It is believed that Antetokounmpo — who continues to be described by numerous sources as wanting to head for the exit ramp sooner rather than later without explicitly asking for it himself — has yet to try to force his way to a particular new team or two. Which could still happen and naturally impact the week to come hugely. You've surely noted that the Heat have held back on making the best possible trade offers it could have for players such as Damian Lillard, Kevin Durant and, most recently, Ja Morant. Miami has been clinging to its most coveted draft capital for the right All-Star pursuit. And this appears to be it. The Heat's best offer is presumed to be a package headlined by Wisconsin native Tyler Herro, rising big man Ke’lel Ware and tradeable first-round picks in 2030 and 2032.

marcstein.substack.com

Dru: “In the case of Ja Morant, he would love I think, to go to the Miami Heat. But the Miami Heat are not even going to entertain that when there's a possibility of trading for Giannis.” - @WindhorstESPN on @GetUpESPN

x.com

Jake Fischer: “Miami Heat are interested in Ja Morant but only on what they would consider a bargain deal. Something very equivalent to what Washington Wizards paid for Trae Young. I have no heard much interest in Ja Morant elsewhere”

x.com

One source close to the process on New Orleans: "[They] didn't speak once to Memphis about trading for Ja Morant."

marcstein.substack.com