Is Ja Morant's time with the Memphis Grizzlies coming to an end? That's the question on everyone's mind as trade rumors swirl around the team's star player, even as he recovers from an injury. Let's dive into the latest developments and what they might mean for Morant and the Grizzlies.
Coach Tuomas Iisalo has offered a glimmer of hope for fans hoping to see Morant back on the court soon. He mentioned that the calf bruise that has kept Morant sidelined for the last five games is improving. There's a chance Morant could play as early as Thursday in Berlin against the Orlando Magic, or perhaps in London on Sunday. Morant has been out since January 4th with a right calf injury.
But here's where it gets controversial... Numerous reports, including one from The Athletic, suggest the Grizzlies are, for the first time, considering trade offers for Morant ahead of the NBA's February 5th trade deadline. This has fueled speculation that Morant, possibly unhappy about being on the trade market, might have played his last game for Memphis. While initially listed as 'questionable' due to his injury, Morant has been listed as 'out' since the trade rumors emerged. Morant has remained silent on the matter, but he is in Berlin and participating in practices.
"He's not gone," said Jaren Jackson Jr., Morant's friend and Grizzlies star, after a Tuesday practice in Berlin. He also added, "We can talk all this stuff, but he’s right over there."
Both games against the Orlando Magic are on Prime Video, making them national TV games in the US. This means that stars are expected to play unless they are clearly injured. Coach Iisalo added that the team is not commenting on the 'random Internet reports' and that Morant is progressing well in practice. Pressed about Thursday's game, Iisalo stated, "There is a chance he will play in the global games."
Morant is scheduled to speak with reporters on Wednesday in Berlin.
Meanwhile, Berlin native Franz Wagner, a German superstar, is hoping to return on Thursday after missing the last 16 games due to a high ankle sprain. Wagner and his brother Moritz, both Berlin natives, came up through the Alba Berlin youth program. Franz Wagner said, "I want to see how today and tomorrow go at practice. Obviously I really want to play, it’s really important, but I don’t want to make any promises.”
Franz Wagner suffered his injury on December 7th. His brother Moritz played for the first time this season on Sunday for the Magic after knee surgery last year.
With the Magic in the Eastern Conference and the Grizzlies in the West, they only play each other twice a season. Both games this season will be in Europe. Thursday's game will also mark the first time Desmond Bane, a former Grizzlies star and friend of Morant, plays against Memphis.
The Grizzlies traded Bane to Orlando after last season as the organization pivoted away from the team with Morant, Jackson, and Bane as the core. The team is now retooling and gaining financial flexibility.
Trading Morant, the No. 2 pick of the 2019 draft and the face of the franchise, would mark the end of an era.
"Ja just wants to play basketball and be in a place where he feels valued. And, hopefully, if it doesn’t happen in Memphis, he gets that, you wherever his next stop is," said Bane.
"Anytime there’s a move. It’s not like you’re … bracing yourself for anything, but anytime something happens just like when you’re around your family and something happens you feel that. We’re people, we’re brothers, we understand that this is a business, but at the same time it sucks," Jackson said.
What do you think? Will Morant stay with the Grizzlies, or is a trade inevitable? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
