Morant has become a negative asset! Reports reveal Grizzlies plan to trade him this summer: potential suitors hold three major concerns

On February 7th Beijing time, two-time All-Star Ja Morant remains one of the most watched "holdouts" in the current trade market. The Athletic's Joe Varden wrote that although the Grizzlies traded Jaren Jackson Jr., retaining Morant does not mean the franchise has changed its building direction. League sources told Varden that the Grizzlies plan to restart trade talks involving Morant during the 2026 offseason, aiming to move him then.

Varden’s report is unsurprising. After trades involving Bain last summer and Jackson Jr. this week, the Grizzlies have accumulated seven first-round picks and a first-round pick swap, clearly shifting toward rebuilding around young core players. The new team leaders include Coward, Zach Edey, and Jalen Wells.

Nonetheless, how the Grizzlies handle Morant's situation in the coming months will remain a key focus. The 26-year-old guard is currently sidelined with an elbow sprain, but the injury is unlikely to end his season prematurely.

With a 20-29 record, the Grizzlies have fallen out of the play-in spots and may prefer to tank late in the season to secure a better lottery position — meaning Morant’s time off the court could be longer than usual. However, the team must weigh pros and cons: allowing the point guard to return might help restore his trade value to some extent, which is also a potential benefit.

Earlier this week, Sports Illustrated reporter Mannix mentioned,Potential suitors’ concerns about Morant mainly focus on his availability, professional attitude, and declining performance levels.Additionally, his max contract is undoubtedly another major risk — after this season, Morant is set to earn $87 million over the next two years. Even if he performs strongly late in the season, it won’t erase all teams’ doubts, but it could at least improve his bargaining position in trade talks this summer.

Reports say that although the Grizzlies have previously stated willingness to take on long-term contracts in exchange for better draft returns, offers for Morant before the trade deadline have been underwhelming and insufficient for serious consideration.Morant is seen as a negative trade asset; other teams would only consider taking him on if the Grizzlies include draft pick compensation.

This week, the Heat, Kings, Bucks, and Timberwolves have all reportedly contacted Morant. By this summer, the list of potential suitors could expand or change — depending on each team’s rebuilding plans and how those eliminated early from the playoffs approach roster adjustments and trade offers.