The Memphis Grizzlies are actively shopping future assets and attempting a full franchise reset following the 2026 NBA Draft, but the trade market for star point guard Ja Morant has completely frozen. Rival front offices currently view Morant’s remaining contract as a negative asset under the NBA’s highly restrictive salary cap aprons, forcing the Grizzlies into a difficult financial corner.
The team is currently auctioning the No. 32 overall pick to maintain roster flexibility. However, their primary objective of offloading Morant is hitting immediate roadblocks as multiple expected suitors drop out of negotiations rather than absorb his salary.
Key Details
- The Phoenix Suns formally refused to take on the $87 million remaining on Morant’s current deal.
- Sacramento walked away from the table after Memphis declined to attach additional draft compensation to move the point guard.
- New Orleans ended their pursuit to stick with their current backcourt of Dejounte Murray and Jeremiah Fears.
The financial burden remains the absolute primary obstacle in any potential deal. Morant is owed $42.2 million next season and $44.5 million in the 2027/28 campaign. Opposing general managers are unwilling to lock up that much cap space under the new restrictive collective bargaining agreement. According to detailed reporting by Sports Illustrated, the Pelicans, Kings, and Timberwolves officially ended their pursuit this week, effectively eliminating three major landing spots.
The Miami Heat are also completely out of the running after executing a blockbuster trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. With the list of available buyers shrinking rapidly, Memphis front office executives are running out of viable options to clear Morant’s salary off the books without surrendering their own future first-round picks to sweeten the deal for a rebuilding team.