Ja Morant 'Couldn't Be More Available' and Memphis Still Can't Move Him
Okay, hold up! Brian Windhorst just dropped a bomb that has the whole league buzzing, and honestly, if you're a Memphis Grizzlies fan, you gotta be sweating. The man said Ja Morant "couldn't be more available" on the trade market. Like, literally, no one is off limits! But here's the kicker, the part that's gonna make your jaw drop: Windhorst also spilled that the Grizzlies are "struggling immensely" to find a team willing to trade for Morant. Can you believe it? Their franchise player is essentially on the clearance rack, and nobody's biting without them sweetening the deal!
Kings Say No, Grizzlies Are Stuck
This isn't just Windhorst tossing out hot takes either. We're seeing real evidence of this struggle. Jake Fischer of The Stein Line confirmed that the Sacramento Kings flat-out turned down a Ja Morant trade. Yeah, you heard that right, the Kings said "no thanks." And it gets worse for Memphis. Fischer reported that Sacramento would actually require the Grizzlies to attach additional draft capital to Morant in any trade. Think about that for a second: a team needs to give up picks just to get Morant? That tells you everything you need to know about how the league views his value right now. It's a tough look for the Grizzlies' front office, who clearly want to move on but are facing an uphill battle trying to offload their star without taking a massive hit.
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New Blood for the Summer Grind
While the Morant situation is dominating headlines, the Grizzlies have been busy trying to build out their roster depth through some younger talent heading to Summer League. They're bringing in a few guys who could make an impact down the line, starting with Clemson's Jestin Porter. DraftExpress' Jon Chepkevich confirmed Porter will join Memphis for Summer League. The senior guard averaged 9.6 points per game and shot 34.8 percent from beyond the arc. Another Exhibit 10 signing for Summer League is Liberty forward Zach Cleveland, who put up some solid numbers as a senior, averaging 11.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game. And Jon Chepkevich also noted that Iowa's Brendan Hausen is on board for Summer League too. Hausen, a junior, averaged 10.9 points per game and shot a respectable 38.8 percent from three. Finally, the Grizzlies are also signing Michigan State big man Carson Cooper to a two-way deal, according to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints. Cooper spent four years at Michigan State, averaging 11 points and 7 rebounds in 26.7 minutes per game, shooting 58.4 percent from the field and 78.8 percent from the line. These guys might be far from NBA superstars, but every bit of talent helps when you're trying to retool.
What's Next for Memphis?
So, what's a franchise to do when its most available player can't find a trade partner without costing them more assets? The Grizzlies have a huge decision ahead. They're clearly trying to move on from Morant, but the market isn't cooperating. Meanwhile, they're stocking up on young talent for Summer League, hoping to find some hidden gems to bolster their squad. It's going to be a long offseason for Memphis as they navigate this incredibly tricky situation and try to figure out their path forward. You gotta wonder if they'll ever find a trade partner for Morant, or if they'll be forced to rethink their entire strategy.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.