The dismantling of the Memphis Grizzlies may not be over just yet.
https://x.com/esidery/status/2069941590680834403?s=46
The Grizzlies will be trading Ja Morant this summer to totally reset their franchise, even though his value is now negative, per @WindhorstESPN.
Memphis will have to take on a bad contract to get off Morant at this point.
The comments are an extension of Windhorst’s assessment earlier this year, when he described Morant as having “negative value” on the trade market. At the time, Windhorst reported that teams were unwilling to acquire the former All-Star unless Memphis attached draft compensation to the deal.
Once viewed as one of the league’s brightest young superstars and the centerpiece of Memphis’ future, Morant’s stock has fallen due to a combination of injuries, suspensions, inconsistent availability. The financial component could be an additional obstacle for a potential Morant deal. He has two years remaining on a 5-year, $197 million contract that will pay him $42, 166,510 in 2026-27 and $44,886,930 in 2027-28. Those factors have reportedly made it difficult for the Grizzlies to find a suitable trade partner despite exploring the market.
A Morant trade would represent the final chapter of a Grizzlies core that once appeared capable of contending for championships. The franchise has already moved on from key members of that group, including Desmond Bane, who was traded to the Orlando Magic and Jaren Jackson Jr., who was dealt to the Utah Jazz as part of Memphis’ ongoing rebuild.
If Windhorst’s prediction proves accurate, Memphis will officially close the book on the era that transformed the franchise into a Western Conference contender and begin a new chapter centered around youth, draft capital, and long-term flexibility.
Whether a deal materializes remains to be seen, but one thing appears increasingly clear: the Grizzlies that fans once knew are rapidly becoming a thing of the past.
