Ja Morant Trade Buzz: Grizzlies Decline Inquiries

A public spat with coach Tuomas Iisalo put Ja Morant squarely on the trade radar — rival executives "circled like vultures" after the incident, though GM Zach Kleiman has declined inquiries. Morant was suspended one game for "conduct detrimental to the team" after a postgame exchange that left "voices...raised" when Iisalo "singled Morant out for his lack of effort and leadership." A subsequent calf strain and subpar shooting (17.9 PPG, career lows from deep) have cooled the market. Merlin sees a classic high-reward, high-risk tale: at his best Morant is a franchise-changer, but injuries, form and a hefty $39.4M salary blunt demand. Opponents will keep "carefully monitoring" Memphis; if the Grizzlies slide further, a fire sale becomes more plausible — yet a buyer would want a bargain.