Pelicans May – Ja Morant’s tense Memphis situation and injury-shortened season have put him back at the center of NBA trade talk, with the Pelicans and Kings appearing most interested ahead of the next roster shake-up.
A trade conversation that starts with one name can move fast—especially when that name has one foot out the door.
Ja Morant is the focus of fresh NBA buzz. with the Pelicans and Kings standing out as the teams drawing the most attention in discussions about a potential deal for the Grizzlies point guard. Sam Amick. speaking during an appearance on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back” (YouTube link). said he would “probably push it” to New Orleans as the frontrunner. He also acknowledged a suggestion that the Timberwolves are in the mix.
What makes Morant’s situation so combustible isn’t just the rumors. It’s what has been building in Memphis. Morant is known to be unhappy in his current environment, and he’s coming off a season that included a feud with head coach Tuomas Iisalo and other members of the coaching staff.
The injuries weren’t minor either. Morant appeared in only 20 games due to elbow and calf issues, and he didn’t play at all after January 21. When the Grizzlies tried to find a taker ahead of the February trade deadline, they didn’t receive much interest around the league.
The reluctance wasn’t only about performance. Behavioral concerns and health issues have limited Morant to 79 combined games over the past three seasons, and rival teams were wary of taking on what comes with him on the contract side.
Morant is owed $42.2MM next season and $44.5MM in 2027/28, before becoming an unrestricted free agent that summer. In NBA trade math, that kind of number can turn curiosity into hesitation—no matter how much upside a player still carries.
Still, the upside is part of why teams are willing to at least listen. Morant is only 26, and the argument around him is simple: if he rediscovers the talent that made him an All-Star in 2022 and 2023, he could change the trajectory of whoever takes the chance.
There’s also the idea of a reset. After spending the first seven years of his career in Memphis, a change of scenery could be exactly what he needs.
New Orleans, in particular, could be ready for that kind of shake-up. The Pelicans followed a disappointing 26-56 season with two coaching changes. and Morant’s arrival would likely come with major roster movement. Several Pelicans players have been involved in trade rumors. and starting point guard Dejounte Murray would likely be moved if Morant is brought in.
Murray is under contract for $32.8MM next season and holds a $30.8MM player option for 2027/28. Any Morant pursuit would almost certainly require New Orleans to reshape its backcourt, not just add another star name.
Sacramento’s angle looks different but still plausible. The Kings are expected to address their point guard situation in the draft. but Morant could become an option if the team decides to target another position—or if it wants a veteran to handle the starting job while a first-round pick develops. Russell Westbrook was effective in that kind of role this season. and the organization may feel Morant could do something similar.
Minnesota has been mentioned before in connection with Morant, though the Wolves would have to send out a lot of salary to make a deal feasible and may be focused on other options. Miami and Milwaukee have also been linked to Morant in trade rumors.
For now, the picture is still fluid. What’s clear is that Morant’s trade value is a balancing act between risk and reward—injuries and behavioral concerns on one side. potential star-level impact on the other. and a contract that doesn’t let teams linger. And in the middle of it all: Memphis turbulence. a league that didn’t bite the first time. and a handful of teams willing to see whether a change of scenery could turn a hard chapter into something new.
Ja Morant trade Pelicans Kings Grizzlies Dejounte Murray Russell Westbrook NBA rumors Tuomas Iisalo Memphis