標籤: Morant

The Sacramento Kings were one of the few teams linked to NBA trade rumors in February with genuine interest in acquiring All-Star point guard Ja Morant. Months later, new information has shed light on why the deal fell through.

According to ESPN’s Tim McMahon and Michael C. Wright, the Kings were one of a select few teams involved in talks with Memphis before the NBA trade deadline. However, Sacramento wanted Memphis to include a first-round pick in any deal.

RELATED: Russell Westbrook Addresses Future With Sacramento Kings

• Yes Morant contract (Spotrac): $42.166 million cap hit (2026-27), $44.886 million cap hit (2027-28)

In the past, the Kings were widely viewed as a team likely to make a questionable deal to acquire an All-Star player. The most recent example of this came in the De’Aaron Fox trade, when they took less future assets to acquire Zach LaVine in a three-team deal with the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls.

However, under general manager Scott Perry, it appears that the franchise is no longer willing to make such deals. It appears that Sacramento has legitimate interest in acquiring Morant, hoping a change of scenery will revitalize the All-Star point guard’s career. Apparently, based on this reporting, Sacramento wanted to be compensated by Memphis for taking over Morant’s contract and the injury and off-the-court risks that come with it.

“There will be teams that feel like they didn’t get what they wanted in the draft or free agency, and that’s when something might happen for Ja.”

Unknown Western Conference executive to ESPN on Ja Morant trade market this summer

Unsurprisingly, Morant’s trade value has declined in recent years. However, there is expected to be more interest in him this summer, with teams feeling more confident that they can add him to the team throughout the offseason rather than in a mid-season trade.

It’s also possible that Sacramento may no longer be one of those contenders. If the Kings land in the four to six range of the 2026 NBA Draft, they could take either Houston point guard Kingston Flemings or Arkansas point guard Darius Acuff Jr. In any case, the team will likely re-sign Russell Westbrook as a veteran mentor and have no need for Morant.

On the other hand, if Sacramento moves up in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery and acquires a wing like AJ DiBuntsa or Caleb Wilson, or potentially forward Cameron Boozer, there could be an even bigger incentive to acquire Morant for the next two seasons.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Memphis Grizzlies will be without their top player for the remainder of the campaign as it was announced on Tuesday that Ja Morant will undergo a procedure for his elbow injury.

Morant was limited to only 20 games this season due to his elbow injury and other ailments. The Grizzlies said that while the athletic guard was making good progressThey have decided to err on the side of caution.

“After a recent consultation to advise on prolonged discomfort, it was recommended that Morant receive PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections to further optimize ligament healing. Morant will begin to wear the elbow following the injection and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season, but is expected to make a full recovery before the 2026-27 season,” the team statement said.

@memgrizz The following medical updates were announced today for Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke and Zach Eddy: pic.twitter.com/gV8rLPlwbs

– Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) 25 March 2026

The Grizzlies are likely to miss the playoffs with a 24-47 record, and they probably don’t see any benefit in playing the 26-year-old Morant at this point. They are 1-11 in their last 12 assignments.

Many thought Memphis would part ways with Morant at the trade deadline. However, despite numerous controversies, no deal was made, keeping him with the Grizzlies.

He averaged 19.5 points, 3.2 rebounds and 8.1 assists this season.

Over the past three campaigns, Morant has played in just 79 games combined.

Even without him, the Grizzlies are currently stacked in the backcourt, with Ty Jerome, Jaylen Wells, Walter Clayton Jr., Cam Spencer, Javon Small and Jahmai Mashek splitting minutes.

Memphis was defeated by the Atlanta Hawks 146-107 on Monday and will return to action on Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs.

The Memphis Grizzlies have been in full-on tank mode in recent weeks as the 2025-26 NBA season reaches its home stretch. These efforts continued on Tuesday night against the Philadelphia 76ers, with the team leading for most of the game on the road before shamelessly pulling their starters early in the fourth quarter and losing the game.

The Grizzlies shook things up by trading Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz at the NBA trade deadline last month, with many speculating that a Ja Morant trade could happen soon. While Memphis wasn’t able to do anything on that front, many still believe the Grizzlies have shifted their focus to the post-Morant era, which continued with the latest mock draft from ESPN’s Jeremy Wu, who projected them selecting point guard Mikel Brown Jr. from Louisville.

Wu said on ESPN.com, “Although he is shooting only 41% from the field this season, scouts feel comfortable with his history and his dynamic perimeter shot-making (34% from 3) continues to be a strong attribute.” “…Brown still projects somewhere inside the top 10, with evaluators remaining optimistic on his emergence as a tall (6-5) backcourt playmaker.”

Wu also said that “With Ja Morant’s long-term future uncertain, the Grizzlies should be in best-available mode.”

Some expect the Grizzlies to embark on a full rebuild this offseason, which has already begun with the trades of Jackson Jr. this year and Desmond Benn last offseason. A lot of Memphis’ future prospects may depend on how lucky they are when the NBA Draft Lottery is decided by ping pong balls in two months.

Ja Morant suffered a UCL injury in his left elbow during the Memphis Grizzlies’ 124–122 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on January 21. He’s been out of the lineup since then, and his latest injury update doesn’t bode well.

According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, reports indicate that the 26-year-old point guard is still experiencing discomfort in his elbow. Morant underwent imaging on his left elbow on Wednesday, and will be reevaluated in two weeks.

“The Grizzlies say Ja Morant is experiencing discomfort from a UCL sprain in his left elbow, and he had follow-up imaging yesterday, which revealed incomplete healing. Morant will be re-evaluated in two more weeks.”

Morant is expected to miss at least the next seven games for the Grizzlies. That’s about one-third of the games remaining on the schedule. Memphis will have more information around March 19, which could determine Morant’s status for the remainder of the regular season.

Ja Morant, a two-time All-Star, has only played 20 games this season. It’s been tough for the former first-round pick, as Morant is averaging 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds (career-low), 8.1 assists (career-high), and 1.0 steals per game. He is shooting 41.0% from the floor (career-low) and 23.5% from beyond the three-point line (career-low).

At one time, Morant was seen as potentially becoming the new face of the NBA. However, since getting into trouble for brandishing guns on social media (suspended a total of 33 games in the 2022-23 season) and being involved in an alleged fight with a then-17-year-old boy at the 2022 event, it can be said to the least that Ja Morant’s image in the league has diminished.

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies was once seen by many as the next face of the NBA. However, after a series of controversies and injuries and a few disappointing seasons overall for Memphis, the 26-year-old has been the subject of minimal trade interest despite his abundance of talent.

Now, his teammate Taj Gibson has come out in defense of Morant and compared the 26-year-old to none other than Derrick Rose.

“Yeah, I love everything about him. People don’t understand, when you play against him and you’re actually on the court you see how he commands his team, how they embrace each other, how they love to work hard. Being a point guard, you have to be a leader. Being a point guard, you have to play hard. And your teammates are inspired by that,” Gibson told All the Smoke. Said during his appearance on the podcast.

“The main thing I see between him and Derrick is athleticism, but also a desire to try to be great. Some players talk about being great, and do what they’ve got to do, but that young man is special,” he concluded.

Although Morant and prime Derrick Rose may have a lot in common when it comes to skill and athleticism, Rose was known as the model professional throughout his career. Rose overcame a series of injuries to continue his NBA career, and showed an elite mindset while transitioning into a rotational contributor.

Additionally, Rose has also had a much cleaner career than Morant, who has already been embroiled in several controversies. In March 2023, Morant appeared on Instagram Live at a Denver-area nightclub and briefly displayed a handgun on camera.

Just a few weeks later, on May 14, 2023, another video surfaced showing Morant again holding a firearm during an Instagram Live broadcast inside a vehicle. Commissioner Adam Silver ultimately imposed a 25-game suspension to begin the 2023–24 season.

This, along with other controversies and injuries, has undoubtedly played a role in the decline in the value of Morant’s stock, with the Grizzlies understood to be open to trade offers for the two-time All-Star.

孟菲斯灰熊队的贾·莫兰特曾被许多人视为 NBA 的下一个面孔。然而，在孟菲斯经历了一系列争议和伤病以及一些令人失望的赛季之后，尽管这位 26 岁的球员才华横溢，但他的交易兴趣却微乎其微。

现在，他的队友泰吉·吉布森站出来为莫兰特辩护，将这位26岁的莫兰特与德里克·罗斯进行比较。

“是的，我喜欢他的一切。人们不明白，当你与他比赛时，当你真正在球场上时，你会看到他如何指挥他的球队，他们如何互相拥抱，他们如何喜欢努力打球。作为一名控球后卫，你必须成为一个领导者。作为一名控球后卫，你必须打得坚强。而你的队友会因此而充满活力，”吉布森在出现在 All the Smoke 播客中时说道。

“我在他和德里克之间看到的最重要的一点是运动能力，还有努力变得伟大的意愿。他们谈论一些球员很伟大，并做他们必须做的事情，但那个年轻人很特别，”他总结道。

虽然莫兰特和巅峰时期的德里克·罗斯在技术和运动能力方面可能有很多相似之处，但罗斯在整个职业生涯中都被认为是职业模范。罗斯克服了一系列伤病继续了他的NBA职业生涯，在转型为轮换贡献者的过程中始终展现出精英心态。

此外，与已经陷入诸多争议的莫兰特相比，罗斯的职业生涯也非常干净。 2023 年 3 月，莫兰特在丹佛地区的一家夜总会出现在 Instagram Live 上，并在镜头前短暂展示了一把手枪。

几周后，2023 年 5 月 14 日，另一段视频出现，显示莫兰特在车内进行 Instagram 直播时再次手持枪支。亚当·萧华 (Adam Silver) 专员最终在 2023-24 赛季开始时实施了 25 场禁赛。

再加上其他争议和伤病，无疑是莫兰特股价下跌的原因之一，据悉灰熊队愿意对这位两届全明星球员进行交易。

The New York Knicks have tried to land a superstar for years. From pursuing LeBron James’ free agency in 2010 to being linked to stars like Donovan Mitchell and even Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Knicks appear to be home to one of basketball’s biggest stars and a perennial championship contender. But, that effort to acquire franchise-changing talent hindered the Knicks for several years.

In an interview with Fan Duel TV play it backFormer Knicks coach David Fizdale looks back at the 2018-2019 season, where New York went 17-65. According to him, the team was trying to land either Zion Williamson or Ja Morant in the 2019 NBA Draft, while also trying to land Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

“I was totally on board with the plan we came up with, and I thought this was the deal and this was the way to go about it. It didn’t work out… losing all the games, sacrificing our record to get Zion Williamson or Ja.

He added, “That summer our guys thought KD and Kyrie were definitely coming to us, but it didn’t work out.”

The Knicks have had some productive role players on the team, such as Luke Kornet, who is emerging as a backup center with the Spurs this season. Tim Hardaway, Courtney Lee and Enes Kanter have had productive years in the league and Kristaps Porziņš, though battling injuries, recently helped the Boston Celtics win the 2024 NBA title.

But Fizdale believed the roster construction was not really conducive to winning.

“When you look at that roster as a whole, all solid players, but when you put them on the floor together, the pieces weren’t working… If I were doing it again, I would have struggled more to make a team early on and not cash in on my record.”

Overall, Fizdale brought a different take to the conversation about tanking. The tanking discussion has been a big one throughout the season, and Fizdale offered a different perspective on it.

“That’s the hard part for coaches when you agree to tank. When you tank, you have to build something big. Not everything that happens is considered a tank… That’s not the formula.”

With EVP Zack Kleiman’s Memphis Grizzlies hoping to usher in a new era by trading Ja Morant this offseason, the direction of the franchise has never been more in doubt. Jaren Jackson Jr. has a new home, and Zack Eddy’s recurring surgeries have already created cracks in the new frontcourt foundation. It appears that at least the Desmond Bane deal was a smart move by the front office, which has been very good at finding value through the NBA Draft.

Both first-round picks will likely be spent on a long wing or some AD insurance. The Grizzlies have been lacking in the big department, so it’s no surprise that the rebounding stats are tied for a season record. As for that low-risk, high-reward 32nd pick? Well, the Grizzlies don’t need a direct Morant replica, but they do need a player who can generate offense and put pressure on defense.

Even if Morant remains in Memphis, the Grizzlies are in an ideal spot to add a scoring guard who can compete for minutes behind Ty Jerome and Cam Spencer while freeing up Jaylen Wells to drive the ball. Clemons shouldn’t feel any pressure to trade back into the first round.

Top 20 NBA Draft choices Brayden Burries (Arizona), Christian Anderson (Texas Tech), LaBron Philon Jr. (Arkansas), Cameron Carr (Baylor), and Bennett Sturtz (Iowa) lack Morant’s elite athleticism and some-or-nothing creativity. That’s why he’s not projected to be a lottery pick, but unlikely to fall out of the first round. The five flawed second-round picks are better comparisons and may provide better value given the salary cap situation.

Jaron Pierre adds true pop

Pierre is the most NBA-ready option of this group and the most likely to contribute immediately, even if the 23-year-old’s ceiling is more modest than the others. The 6-foot-5 ball-handling wing averaged 21.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 38.2% from 3-point range at Jacksonville State, earning Conference USA Player of the Year honors before reaching the portal. He attacks the rim with vertical pop, is capable of making powerful dunks from the free-throw line area, and creates his own shot off the dribble or catch.

The secondary is showing flashes of playmaking playmaking as SMU’s top transfer averages 1.9 assists per game, and Pierre rebounds very well (5.1) for a guard at the power conference level. Those assist numbers could be more in a table-setting role, which Pierre will likely have to prove during any Summer League action. However, this is not the case during March Madness.

The definition of a polished, ready-now bucket-getter, Pierre has consistently filled the stat sheet for the Mustangs (17.6 points, 37.3% 3PA). Their defensive attention to detail also needs some work, but the Grizzlies lack a point guard not named Jaylen Wells. For a Grizzlies team that needs cheap, reliable contributors following the Morant transition, big defensive players are a worse gamble than a microwave scorer.

Tyler Tanner is attracting attention

Tanner is the analytics darling of the class of 2026, a 6-foot, 175-pound point guard who has no business being that good statistically. He averaged 18.9 points, 5.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.9 steals/blocks per game, while shooting 48.8% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc. The scouts in Vandy’s engine are reconsidering whether they have found any foreign objects.

Ringer’s draft board highlights his ability to get down and finish through contact, though the second-year student’s jumper is still a work in progress. For a Grizzlies team that will be rebuilding its offensive hierarchy, the Tennessee native represents a high-floor project that can develop into a reliable backup with starter equity when the shot comes.

A big attacker framed in an undersized frame, Tanner defies every historical precedent. He’s converting over 60% of his half-court rim attempts and is on pace for nearly 30 dunks this season, a number that no 6-footer has touched since 2008. The concern is obvious, but his elite explosiveness, change of pace, and defensive anticipation give him a Fred VanVleet-like trajectory.

melek thomas moving needles

Thomas is the youngest name on this list at 19, and one of the most attractive names. At 6 feet 5 inches tall, he is recognized as a creative center who can initiate offense and make plays with the ball, giving the Grizzlies flexibility with who they draft in the first round. The new players’ passion for the game under Coach Cal is evident, yet the flaws are equally apparent. Thomas entered the season as a potential lottery lock, but inconsistent shooting and struggles against elite competition have cooled his stock.

Forget the worries if Thomas sticks to his NBA Draft plans. Get a five-star All-American in the locker room and worry about the rest later. The Arkansas star shows impressive comfort working in pick-and-roll situations and manipulating the defense with changes of pace. His ability to score from multiple levels makes him a difficult cover, and his size allows him to see defenders when creating passing angles.

If the Grizzlies want a high-upside swing that can develop into a sixth-man spark or more, Thomas fits the bill. Averaging 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, while shooting 40.3% from 3-point range over 29 games is enough of a sample size. He also posted 1.6 steals per game, offering the two-way dimension that scouts value in a backcourt prospect.

Thomas shows creative hub flashes off the dribble, attacking advantages, and creating looks for himself and teammates with a high motor on both ends. Early season buzz put him in the lottery conversation on some boards, and his sense of rhythm and flow keeps his impact steady even on off nights. Someone with a top 40 pick will snag this low-risk investment.

brandon smith quietly coming in

Braden Smith has been one of the most prolific pick-and-roll initiators in college basketball, and he rarely misses a perfect play while on offense. Averages of 15.5 points, 8.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds over the last 65 games show proven, consistent, reliability. His 44% assist rate over his last 50 games shows a rare ability to create for others that should translate to the NBA level.

In addition to his offensive skill set, Smith’s basketball IQ, competitiveness and defensive awareness align with the culture the Grizzlies have developed. Despite being undersized at 6-foot-6, Smith makes up for it with a 6-foot-5-inch wingspan, active stealing hands, and a high motor that allows him to compete on that end of the floor.

Tahad Pettiford under pressure

Size limitations and decision-making inconsistencies have pushed them toward the second round on many boards. Auburn’s main table-setter can force contested shots by over-dribbling and struggles to finish beyond length in a half-court setting. Improving his playmaking and efficiency will determine whether he becomes a dynamic spark-plug guard. For the Grizzlies, Pettiford’s burst and scoring mentality mirrors the characteristics that make Morant special, offering high-upside depth that could develop into a dominant creator in the right system.

The Grizzlies are entering a new chapter, and while trading Ja Morant creates an inevitable void, it also creates opportunity. None of these five guards will be able to replace Morant’s highlight-reel talent overnight. However, in a relatively tight draft class, Memphis Creations can swing on upside, athletic pop, and positional size. With two first-round picks already earmarked for the frontcourt, using the 32nd pick on a point guard project with first-round talent and second-round flaws is exactly how the new era should start.

The Memphis Grizzlies are navigating a franchise reset, but a 21-year-old forward is making the transition to the post-Ja Morant era less challenging than expected. GG Jackson has quietly emerged as one of the most intriguing young pieces in the NBA, and Tuomas Isalo isn’t shy about what makes the former second-round pick (45th overall) so dangerous.

It’s been hard to ignore the former South Carolina standout’s averages of 17.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals/blocks while shooting 47.8% from three-point range since January 31. Jackson was posting almost the same numbers as a rookie in less pressure situations. However, his usage rate (23.3) and three-point volume (4.2 attempts per game) have skyrocketed since the NBA trade deadline, suggesting he may finally be established as an NBA veteran.

“I mean, (Jackson) has made huge strides throughout the season. We already talked about it with GG during his summer league that his superpower is paying off,” Isalo explained. “He’s doing a great job of touching the paint. His efficiency is at a career high right now. How he’s getting things done in those situations is a testament to his hard work.”

That sneaky-good ability to attack the rim with length, touch and growing confidence could prove vital as the Grizzlies transition into a post-Morant, post-Jarren Jackson Jr. era. While the franchise waits for its star guard to return from an elbow injury or chart a new path forward, Jackson’s development offers the glimpse of a permanent scoring punch who may be capable of becoming an offensive center.

Isalo wants a traditional table-setting point guard. Slashers with size to absorb contact at the rim and shooting range should finish games, according to the Finnish tactician. Still, the Grizzlies will need someone to put pressure on defense to finish out this season. EVP Zach Kleiman is getting a lot of data suggesting the former first-round pick is ready for a bigger role and possibly a multi-year contract extension this summer.

“(Jackson) is playing very simple offensively,” Isalo insisted. “He’s playing well off the puck and finding open guys. He’s still got to toggle between aggression and the right amount of patience. Defensively, he’s improved as an attack guard. There’s still some things he needs to do better on the defensive end, being on a string, having defensive awareness, rebounding better for his position, but I think the steps he’s taking are very encouraging, and becoming a real weapon offensively.”

Being a 21-year-old NBA veteran with three seasons of experience is an odd situation to be in in the NCAA’s void/portal era. Jackson had a stellar rookie season last year, capturing a title along with sealing the NBA Play-In Tournament, before taking a back seat to the Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane core. Still, he waited and took advantage of every opportunity. That patience and investment could pay off handsomely for everyone next season.

Isalo’s priority is to see how many superheroes GG Jackson can become. After all he is still years away from his projected peak. A tall, athletic, paint-crashing wing who can stretch the floor and guard multiple positions fits perfectly into the franchise anchor position of the modern NBA. With the addition of Zach Eddy, Santi Aldama, Ty Jerome, Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells and a gem point guard from the 2026 NBA Draft, Memphis will be ready to compete once again.

孟菲斯灰熊队的球星贾·莫兰特自从在默里州立大学篮球项目中崭露头角以来，就一直把自己的心放在袖子上。莫兰特以其一代人的天赋席卷了整个国家，自 2019 年以第二顺位被选中以来，一直为 NBA 球迷带来欢乐。正如他之前发布的版本一样，莫兰特最近分享了他的穆雷州立大学 Nike Ja 3 签名鞋。

查看我们的运动鞋新闻，了解更多即将发布的产品和重大内容！

贾·莫兰特在默里州立大学为自己铺平了道路，成为该项目单赛季助攻数（331）、单赛季得分（808）和职业生涯助攻数的历史领先者。 2018-2019赛季，莫兰特成为NCAA男篮历史上第一位场均得分20+、助攻10+的球员。

加入 Nike 并不久后发布了他的首个签名运动鞋，Nike Ja 3 成为莫兰特迄今为止最独特的作品。令人惊叹的轮廓与他在球场上的精彩表现有着独特的联系，而即将推出的“Murray State”配色不断提醒着莫兰特成为家喻户晓的名字。

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Ja Morant 震撼 Nike Ja 3 “Murray State” 🔥 pic.twitter.com/t81kCkTyLe

– 复杂运动鞋（@ComplexSneakers） 2026 年 1 月 22 日

莫兰特在过去两年中发布了之前的“Murray State”版本的 Nike Ja 1 和 Ja 2 运动鞋，均采用类似的白色/蓝色/黄色套装，以匹配赛车手的学校颜色。 Nike Ja 3 沿用了“爪”设计，左鞋将采用黄蓝渐变的交替划痕，而右鞋则采用蓝黄渐变，呈现不匹配的外观。

该鞋款采用 ZoomX 外底，鞋面、鞋舌和鞋垫均采用白色底座。我们在两款鞋的侧面都看到电蓝色/黄色 Nike Swooshes，鞋舌上饰有金属 JA 徽标。总而言之，这无疑是迄今为止我们在签名系列中看到的最独特的“Murray State”配色。

Nike Ja 3“Murray State”将于 2025 年 3 月 5 日发售，标准零售价为 125 美元。该鞋款将提供全系列尺码并调整价格，预计将于 Nike SNKRS 发售日发售。通常库存充足，请务必检查当地的耐克零售商，看看他们是否有库存。

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When a superstar of Ja Morant’s caliber is reported to be interested in a trade, much of the NBA community usually shuts up and takes notice. However, recent conversations suggest that the Memphis Grizzlies never had a strong trade market for the superstar, despite the fact that the franchise actively explored trade options before the deadline.

According to Marc Stein of The Stein Line, the Grizzlies may have to wait for teams like the Milwaukee Bucks in the summer to get an attractive return.

“Sources say Sacramento has shown only modest interest. I’m told Miami also inquired about Morant only with the idea of ​​acquiring him in a deal similar to Washington’s asset-light acquisition of Trae Young. And sources say the Heat were not actively pursuing Morant in the days before the deadline because Antetokounmpo had become their primary target,” he wrote.

Stein reports that multiple teams believe the Bucks’ interest in Morant is genuine, whether it’s to pair him with Giannis Antetokounmpo or as a potential successor.

“Many teams came out of the deadline believing that the Bucks’ interest in Morant was genuine … whether it was to establish him as Antetokounmpo’s eventual successor as the Face of the Franchise or because they believe they can truly create a Giannis-and-Ja pairing,” he wrote.

Memphis openly explored deals as part of a broader rebuild, having already traded forward Desmond Benn and Jaren Jackson Jr. for three first-round picks and young rotation pieces.

Despite Morant being a two-time All-Star and former franchise centerpiece after Memphis’ 56-win season and Western Conference Semifinal run, the interest hasn’t been pressing.
Sacramento’s involvement never progressed beyond exploratory dialogue, especially with Morant reportedly unwilling to play there. Miami showed interest and was widely believed to be Morant’s preferred destination, yet the Heat prioritized Giannis Antetokounmpo as their primary target.

Of course, Morant’s diminished value stems from availability and efficiency concerns. The 26-year-old has appeared in only 20 games this season, averaging 19.5 points and 8.1 assists, but recorded career lows in efficiency (41% FG, 23.5% from three).

Memphis is also just 7-13 in games played, and barring a quick return to form, the situation appears grim as far as genuine interest and an attractive trade package is concerned.

While there are many signs that the Milwaukee Bucks will work to trade Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer, a new report links the team to an elite star to pair with him in 2026-27.

Heading into the trade deadline earlier this month, there was no bigger story than the will-they-or-won’t-they saga of the Bucks and the two-time NBA MVP. While Antetokounmpo technically did not ask for a trade, Milwaukee began fielding offers from interested teams because they felt he was ready for a divorce.

However, after a couple of weeks of trade talks, Milwaukee decided to pounce on the nine-time All-Star and retain him. The perception around the league is that the organization did not like the offers it received, and this was an information-building process for the summer when better offers come in, and more teams join the sweepstakes.

Veteran NBA insider Jake Fisher firmly believes that the Antetokounmpo trade will indeed happen this summer. However, in a new post on The Stein Line, he posed an interesting scenario where Antetokounmpo would stay and be paired with Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant.

Were the Bucks ‘sincere’ about interest in Ja Morant trade?

Fisher wrote, “The Grizzlies will have to try again this summer to find a palatable Morant deal. They may have even more options, as the Bucks presumably have, when it comes to Antetokounmpo.”

He added, “One scenario that would have to be addressed is the possibility of a Milwaukee trade for Morant. Several teams came out of the deadline believing that the Bucks’ interest in Morant was genuine.” “Whether it was to establish him as Antetokounmpo’s eventual successor as the face of the franchise or because he believes he can really make the Giannis-and-Ja pairing work.”

While rumors swirled about the team trading Giannis Antetokounmpo, there were also reports that they are looking to add impactful talent before this month’s deadline. The team would love to have the greatest player in team history. Adding Morant when his value is low and getting back to the superstar he was a few years ago could attract the Greek giants and keep him for another season.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Whether or not Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant spends the rest of his career in a Grizzlies uniform is still to be determined, but he hasn’t been a bigger ambassador for the city since arriving in 2019. Recently, Morant has been sharing some leaks of unreleased colorways of his signature Nike Ja 3 sneakers on social media.

Check out our sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content!

Ja Morant has been with Nike since 2019, just before he was drafted by Memphis with the second overall pick. It wasn’t until 2023 that Nike officially released the first Nike Ja 1 sneakers, which instantly sold out and generated a lot of hype for the line. Three years later, Morant is on his third signature model and has been actively releasing new colorways of the Nike Ja 3.

After sharing several “leaks” on social media, one of which was the new giraffe-inspired Nike Ja 3 “Ja Rafe”, Morant continued to share more looks at unreleased versions of his latest sneaker. Some themes like the “Scratch” colorway make a return while teasing new concepts for the first time.

Ja Morant shares new Nike Ja 3 colorways

Ja Morant is back with another leak, this time showing off a twist on the Ja 3 “Scratch 3.0.”

Whether this is PE or an upcoming pairing is unclear at the moment 😵

More info: https://t.co/selwvdRXop pic.twitter.com/qJIkMeCmzr

– Sneaker News (@SneakerNews) 19 February 2026

Nike Ja 3 “Mardi Gras” Unveiled on IG

Read our description >> https://t.co/O3kxWL4ZKQ pic.twitter.com/L69a2PmzWQ

– Sneaker News (@SneakerNews) 18 February 2026

First Look: @jamorant Nike Reveals Ja 3 “Zeraph” pic.twitter.com/sIiOsgYJn7

– Modern Notoriety (@ModernNotoriety) 15 February 2026

In addition to the aforementioned annual special “Ja Rafe”, Morant returns with a teal/red/black “scratch” outfit to match the Grizzlies’ throwback logo and uniforms. We’re also seeing the return of the Mardi Gras theme in yellow/green/violet to celebrate the party in the Big Easy. The “Ja Rough” colorway is likely to remain exclusive to Morant, but there is a strong possibility that we will see the other two leaks appear in retail releases.

The Nike Ja 3 is currently available through Nike retailers for the standard price of $125. In addition to the most recent “Warning Label” All-Star release, expect an extensive slate of releases planned for the remainder of the NBA season as the Grizzlies continue their quest for the NBA Playoffs.

Which of these Nike Ja 3 colorways would you like to see release?

孟菲斯灰熊队球星贾·莫兰特是否会穿着灰熊队的球衣度过余下的职业生涯仍有待确定，但自 2019 年登陆灰熊队以来，没有人比他更能成为这座城市的形象大使。最近，莫兰特在社交媒体上大肆分享了他标志性 Nike Ja 3 运动鞋的一些未发布配色。

查看我们的运动鞋新闻，了解更多即将发布的产品和重大内容！

贾·莫兰特 (Ja Morant) 自 2019 年以来一直效力于 Nike，随后他被孟菲斯大学以第二顺位选中。直到 2023 年，耐克才正式发布了首款 Nike Ja 1 运动鞋，并立即售空，并为该系列带来了大量的炒作。三年后，莫兰特推出了他的第三款签名鞋款，并积极发布 Nike Ja 3 的新配色。

在社交媒体上分享了一系列“泄密”内容（其中之一是一款以长颈鹿为灵感的新款 Nike Ja 3“Ja Raffe”）后，莫兰特继续分享了他最新运动鞋的未发布版本的更多外观。 “Scratch”配色等一些主题回归，同时也首次提出新概念。

Ja Morant 分享全新 Nike Ja 3 配色

Ja Morant 又回来了，这一次展示了 Ja 3 “Scratch 3.0” 的改动🐻

目前尚不清楚这是 PE 还是即将推出的一对 😵

更多信息：https://t.co/selwvdRXop pic.twitter.com/qJIkMeCmzr

— 运动鞋新闻 (@SneakerNews) 2026 年 2 月 19 日

Nike Ja 3 “Mardi Gras” 在 IG 上亮相 🎉

阅读我们的细分>> https://t.co/O3kxWL4ZKQ pic.twitter.com/L69a2PmzWQ

— 运动鞋新闻 (@SneakerNews) 2026 年 2 月 18 日

第一眼： @贾莫兰特 揭晓 Nike Ja 3 “Jaraffe” 🦒 pic.twitter.com/sIiOsgYJn7

——现代恶名（@ModernNotoriety） 2026 年 2 月 15 日

除了前面提到的“Ja Raffe”年度独家服装之外，莫兰特还带着青色/红色/黑色“Scratch”套装回归，以搭配灰熊队的复古标志和队服。我们还看到了狂欢节主题的回归，用黄色/绿色/紫色来庆祝 Big Easy 的派对。 “Ja Raffe”配色很可能仍然是莫兰特的独家配色，但我们很有可能看到其他两种泄露的配色出现在零售版本中。

Nike Ja 3 目前可通过 Nike 零售商购买，标准价格为 125 美元。除了最近发布的“警告标签”全明星阵容之外，随着灰熊队继续争夺 NBA 季后赛，预计 NBA 赛季剩余时间还将发布大量内容。

您希望看到以下哪一款 Nike Ja 3 配色的发布？

The Memphis Grizzlies’ season has been derailed. They entered the NBA All-Star break 20–33 and finished 5.5 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. The Grizzlies have been derailed in part by injuries, in particular, an injury to star point guard Ja Morant.

Morant has played in only 20 of 53 games this season. They played their last game on January 21 against the Atlanta Hawks in a 124–122 loss. The former All-Star guard is dealing with a UCL injury in his elbow.

On Wednesday, it was reported that Morant was still dealing with discomfort Will be reevaluated in two weeksAccording to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints.

This season has been full of injuries for Morant. Earlier, he had not been able to play for more than a month due to a calf strain.

All the injuries to the former second overall pick are only half of the story. He has been in controversy for many years due to his off-court antics. That combination appears to have crushed any trade value Morant provided for the Grizzlies.

Despite several trade rumors surfacing, the NBA trade deadline came and went while Morant still remained in Memphis.

Injuries are nothing new for the Murray State product. During his seven-year professional career, the Grizzlies guard has dealt with ankle sprains, knee sprains, back spasms, hip dislocations and labral tears in his shoulder. All this was ahead of the 2025-26 season.

He is not the only Grizzlies player to be out due to injury.

Additionally, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will undergo minor surgery to repair an impingement on his right little finger.

The Memphis Grizzlies have embarked on a rebuild for some of their young players such as Cedric Coward and were looking to trade for Ja Morant before the 2026 NBA trade deadline. As rumors continue to swirl about Morant and his future with the franchise, Coward wants everyone to know what the Grizzlies point guard is really like.

Speaking with HoopsHype at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, Cedric Coward was asked about Ja Morant’s perception of the league and what it’s like to actually be around him.

It is safe to say that cowards did not retreat.

“Yeah, it depends what people think about him,” Cedric Coward told HoopsHype. “If you want to say all the negative connotations about him, you’re absolutely wrong and you need to keep your thoughts to yourself. Jaa is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. One of the nicest guys. He’s the same way, goofy — we quote movies all the time. I mean, he’s always cracking jokes.”

Ja Morant and his leadership were ousted by head coach Tuomas Isalo in early November 2025 and he was suspended one game due to “conduct detrimental to the team.” Morant wishes to remain a member of the Grizzlies, and has remained professional throughout the process.

Coward continued to talk about what a great teammate Morant has been to him.

“He’s not what people make him out to be. He’ll take care of you, like, when we had the snowstorm, he offered to buy my groceries, just little things like that that he didn’t have to do, but he just takes care of people out of the kindness of his heart, just because that’s who he is. It’s like his nature. And then at the same time, he’s a great person to be around. As I tell people all the time, he’s one of those guys. The ones I’ll bring to my cookouts, you know, and you’ll be like, “Hey man, come over.” You know what I’m saying?

In 48 appearances so far this season, Cedric Coward has averaged 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, while shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 34 percent from three.

Ja Morant has struggled to stay on the court this season, playing in only 20 games this season. He averaged 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.0 steals in a career-low 28.5 minutes per game.

As one of the most prolific players in the NBA, it’s only fitting that Memphis Grizzlies franchise star Ja Morant has a shoe to match his explosive play. Their most recent signature sneaker, the Nike Jaa 3, is easily the most unique one in their collection and offers one of the most spectacular colorways we’ve seen in the last year. Recently, Morant shared a glimpse of the upcoming “Ja Ruff” colorway that die-hard fans are much more familiar with.

Check out our sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content!

Upon being recruited by the Grizzlies and adopting Memphis as his new home, the city showed its love for Morant by inviting him to the Memphis Zoo in 2020. They even went the extra mile to name one of their newborn giraffes after the baby sensation – Ja Raf.

It’s been exactly three years since Ja Morant met Ja Rafe and told him he now had a son.

“You hear me!?” Morant said. “I think I’ll adopt you.”

🦒 pic.twitter.com/ZSeCYPcX0o

– Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) 20 November 2023

Once his signature sneaker launches in 2023, it was only fitting that Ja Morant used a giraffe-inspired colorway in his Nike Ja 1 sneakers. A year later, Morant teased a follow-up Nike Ja 2 “Ja Ruff” sneaker and eventually wore the sneakers in-game for the Grizzlies. Following this lead, Morant recently shared a “leak” of the Nike Ja 3 “Ja Rafe” colorway.

Nike Ja 3 “Ja Rafe” Leaked by Ja Morant

FIRST LOOK: Ja Morant recently leaked his “Ja Ruff” Nike Ja 3 PE 👀 @jamorant pic.twitter.com/PR6HJg7yH5

– Sole Retriever (@SoleRetriever) 15 February 2026

Ja Morant Unveils the Nike Ja 3 “Ja Raffe” 🦒

The Memphis Zoo named a baby giraffe after Morant in 2020

Learn more >> https://t.co/kg1f8dmM2c pic.twitter.com/xbSERN67Hl

– Sneaker News (@SneakerNews) 16 February 2026

The Wild pair returns in another brown/tan/pink theme that resembles the look of Morant’s friend. Typically featuring paw prints throughout the upper, this Nike Ja 3 will feature brown giraffe spots on the mesh panels. The Nike Zoom outsole will feature alternating toe prints in brown and gray with a pronounced tan “A” towards the heel. The final detail features a pink Nike Swoosh with the writing “JA” across the upper, a humorous nod to Ja Raffe’s pink tongue.

Previous “Ja Ruff” colorways have not released to the public and while the Nike Ja 3 is being reworked and released at a faster pace, don’t be surprised if Ja Morant keeps this collection special for himself and his giraffe “son.”