By now, it’s no secret that there’s a fractured relationship between NBA star Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies. Based on the two-time All-Star’s evasive postgame remarks and the suggestion he no longer has “joy” playing for the franchise, speculation that the team will trade him quickly heated up.
And with those trade rumors, potential favorites are emerging as his next destination in the NBA. One team tops the current odds for Morant’s new team, and that is the Sacramento Kings. The Western Conference squad currently holds +400 odds to acquire Morant via trade, followed by the Miami Heat at +500, per The Sacramento Bee.
However, the third team in those odds, available through BetOnline, suggests that Morant could get traded to a true Western Conference contender. The Houston Rockets have +600 odds, followed by the Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, and New Orleans Pelicans.
Of the teams mentioned above, the Rockets would immediately add the former NBA Rookie of the Year to a team that acquired superstar Kevin Durant in the offseason. In addition, the team boasts talented younger stars, including Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun.
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As of this writing, the Rockets are fifth in the NBA’s Western Conference standings with a 4-2 record. That’s the same as the Denver Nuggets, and just two wins behind the No. 3 Los Angeles Lakers.
According to The Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson, a league source said the Kings haven’t engaged the Grizzlies in trade talks amid the recent circumstances surrounding Morant. However, it’s highly possible that the Kings’ general manager, Scott Perry, would seriously consider adding a player of Morant’s caliber to what Thompson called “a flawed and aging roster.”
However, the Houston Rockets are certainly an intriguing option, and might be one that Morant would love. That said, on a recent “Hoop Collective” podcast, Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst discussed the situation, with Windhorst asking Bontemps if there would be a “robust market” for the Grizzlies to shop Morant in.
“No, I don’t think there is one,” Bontemps said on the podcast.
Even with the Rockets among the top three contenders for next-team odds, it might be a tricky deal to make work due to Morant’s salary and another team’s luxury tax situation. Morant currently earns $39.4 million this year. He’ll make $42.2 million and $44.9 million during his next two seasons.
The Morant situation unfolded after the team’s 117-112 loss to the Lakers, during which some perceived that the Grizzlies star displayed a lack of effort. He finished with just eight points on 3-of-14 shooting in that game. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo challenged Morant’s leadership and effort during a postgame discussion.
After Morant reportedly “responded in a tone deemed inappropriate and dismissive,” the Grizzlies suspended him for one game for conduct detrimental to the team. As it stands, his trade value may have dropped somewhat due to previous legal issues and controversies that hindered his career.
Amid his apparent frustration with the team, Morant is leading the Grizzlies with 20.4 points and 7.1 assists per game. They’ll host the Houston Rockets and Kevin Durant on Wednesday evening.
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