Suitors emerging for Ja Morant amid rumors of Grizzlies unhappiness

Ja Morant’s time in Memphis could come to an end with the star player seemingly growing increasingly unhappy with the Grizzlies, and several NBA teams are keeping an eye on the situation. 

Both the Timberwolves and Kings were named as potential suitors for Morant, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported on Wednesday.

The Kings have not engaged with the Grizzlies yet, the Sacramento Bee reported, but the outlet indicated that things could change.

Sacramento is viewed as the favorite to end up with Morant when all is said and done by the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline. 

One team that does not appear to be eyeing the 26-year-old Morant is the Rockets, who need a point guard. 

A team source told Amick that the Rockets were “unlikely” to go after Morant. 

Morant’s dissatisfaction with the Grizzlies’ head coach, Tuomas Iisalo, and the organization has become more noticeable, especially after he was suspended for one game after telling reporters to “go ask the coaching staff” regarding his struggles in a Friday loss to the Lakers. 

When Morant returned to the court on Monday, he did little to convince people that things were in a good place between the Grizzlies and the player. 

Morant replied with a simple, “No,” when asked if he was playing with joy in his game and deflected when asked about what could be done to improve that.

“We’ll see,” he simply said. 

There’s no question about Morant’s talents on the court when he’s at his best. 

He averaged a career-best 27.4 points per game in 2021-22 while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field. 

His 5-year, $197 million contract runs through the 2027-28 season.

He is a two-time NBA All-Star during the course of his career and this season he’s averaging 20.4 points per game.

Morant is not without his fair share of drama off the court, having been suspended twice for incidents involving social media and a firearm.