Ja Morant remains a Memphis Grizzlies player, but the Sacramento Kings are reportedly one of the few teams still interested in pursuing a trade for the star point guard before the NBA trade deadline this Thursday. After a disappointing start to the season and conflicts with the coaching staff, Memphis placed Morant on the trade block over a month ago, signaling a potential rebuild. The trade of former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson to the Utah Jazz further underscores the Grizzlies’ intent to reshape their roster.
“The Sacramento Kings are consistently mentioned as one of the few teams — if not the only one — that might decide to get into the Morant business before the Thursday deadline. As of today, I can relay, per team sources, that they have still not completely closed the door on that idea.” – Sam Amick, Reporter
Reasons Memphis Might Trade Ja Morant Now
The recent trade of Jaren Jackson indicates that the Memphis Grizzlies may not expect to contend this season or in the near future. This move suggests a willingness to reset the franchise’s direction fully, which could mean trading Morant to start fresh. Young prospects like Cedric Coward and Zach Edey, both on rookie contracts and showing early promise, are now seen as foundational pieces for Memphis’ rebuild. Shifting focus to youth development aligns with the team’s apparent strategy.
Given the shift in roster composition, Morant no longer fits as well following Jackson’s departure. Memphis may accept a modest trade offer from Sacramento, prioritizing a deal that accelerates rebuilding efforts and increases draft assets rather than immediate talent return. This approach would reflect a longer-term vision centered on tanking for a high draft pick while assembling new core players.
Arguments Supporting Memphis Retaining Morant for Now
The potential trade package from Sacramento would likely include veteran players such as DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, who may not suit Memphis’ current goal of becoming younger and more sustainable. As a result, the Grizzlies might prefer to hold on to Morant and increase his trade value by waiting until the offseason when interest in him could rise.
So far, no other NBA teams have made strong trade offers for Morant, revealing uncertainty about his current market value. Some experts believe that maintaining Morant on the roster through the remainder of the season may generate better trade opportunities later, especially with playoff-contending teams potentially seeking a key player to elevate their chances in the offseason.
Nevertheless, should Memphis seek a quicker rebuild, Sacramento appears poised to be the most viable trade destination for Morant before the deadline.
What This Means for Memphis and Sacramento Moving Forward
The Grizzlies’ decisions in the coming days will shape their short- and long-term trajectory, as trading Morant would represent a complete franchise reset while retaining him offers the hope of leveraging his value more strategically. For the Sacramento Kings, acquiring Morant could be a transformative step, though the team must weigh the risks linked to integrating the young star alongside their current roster.
With the trade deadline looming, the developments surrounding Ja Morant’s future remain a critical storyline for both franchises and the broader NBA landscape, signaling urgency and significant organizational change for Memphis and potential bold moves for Sacramento.
The Kings are not closing the door on trading for Ja Morant, per @sam_amick
“The Sacramento Kings are consistently mentioned as one of the few teams — if not the only one — that might decide to get into the Morant business before the Thursday deadline. As of today, I can relay,… pic.twitter.com/3f3x9AXnw8
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 3, 2026
