Updated
Updated · Sports Illustrated · Jun 26
Grizzlies Face Pressure to Trade Ja Morant After No. 3 Pick Cameron Boozer Arrives
Updated
Updated · Sports Illustrated · Jun 26

Grizzlies Face Pressure to Trade Ja Morant After No. 3 Pick Cameron Boozer Arrives

3 articles · Updated · Sports Illustrated · Jun 26

Summary

  • Cameron Boozer’s Memphis introduction sharpened focus on Ja Morant, with calls growing for the Grizzlies to move him quickly rather than carry a star they no longer appear committed to.
  • Memphis has already explored Morant trades and set asking-price parameters, but no NBA team has met them, leaving him stuck on the roster despite the franchise’s apparent desire to move on.
  • Morant’s past off-court mistakes and declining leaguewide value have weakened his market, while the Grizzlies’ push to embrace Boozer, Karim Lopez and Richie Saunders has made the roster limbo more awkward.
  • The standoff follows reports that Memphis planned an offseason reset around No. 3 draft pick Boozer, raising pressure on GM Zach Kleiman to either lower demands or pursue a genuine reconciliation.

Insights

With his trade value plummeting and few teams interested, what does the future actually hold for former superstar Ja Morant?
After trading three All-Stars, is Memphis's rebuild around a rookie a brilliant reset or a historic franchise mistake?