Morant still on Grizzlies after trade deadline passes

After weeks of trade rumors, Ja Morant was not traded by the Grizzlies before Thursday's league deadline, and will remain in Memphis for at least the remainder of the season.

On Tuesday, Memphis traded Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz in an eight-player deal. That trade brought the Grizzlies three future first round draft picks in a sign of a rebuilding campaign.

The team had reportedly been listening to trade offers for Morant for the first time since they drafted him from Murray State with the #2 pick in 2019.

The Grizzlies have reportedly been asking for multiple draft picks and young players in return for the two-time All-Star.

Morant has played in just 20 of the Grizzlies’ 49 games this season due to a string of injuries.

For his part, Morant has repeatedly said there should be no doubt about his desire to keep playing for Memphis, and even points to a tattoo of the team logo on his back.

The 26-year-old Morant is making about $39 million this season and is in the third year of a five-year, $197 million contract.


(AP Photo Kin Cheung)