If it wasn't for his injuries, Ja Morant could have contributed more scoring power to the Memphis Grizzlies. They might have won at least one game; the closest win they could have earned was in Game 3 when they led by as much as 26 points.
Once touted as the league's future, the 25-year-old guard's standing among NBA executives has sunk significantly heading into the 2025 offseason.
Ja Morant Trade Rumors Start to Trickle
As ESPN's Tim MacMahon mentioned on Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective, Morant is no longer regarded as a top 10 player by general managers, scouts, or executives, even when healthy. That change in attitude stems from more than numbers; it resonates with greater angst about leadership, playoff play, and locker room issues.
There were also words around the league that Morant was not untouchable in Memphis. Although he's a franchise star by any means, he's not safe from being traded by next season.
Although there have been no reported trade discussions yet, the league-wide murmur indicates Memphis might consider all possibilities in the future. The Grizzlies are at a fork in the road: construct around Morant or start over after another premature playoff exit.
Slipping Production and Turnover Issues
Statistically speaking, Morant's 2024–25 campaign was his least efficient since 2021. He averaged 23.2 points per game, off a career-high before last year, with a career-best 3.7 turnovers per game, a sign of a bad decision-making. Even though he still had 7.3 assists per game, the elevated turnover rate lessens his quality as a floor general, particularly in crunch situations.
Playoff Failures Tarnish His NBA Reputation
Since their 2022 run to the Western Conference semifinals, the Grizzlies have not won a single playoff series, which put a cloud over Morant's status as a franchise pillar. According to Bleacher Report, the team's 2025 playoff meltdown, a crushing sweep by the Oklahoma City Thunder, was marked by an astonishing 70-point deficit over the first two games.
Locker Room Tensions and Coaching Fallout
The March 28 termination of head coach Taylor Jenkins further fueled the controversy. As reported by ESPN reporters Ramona Shelburne, Michael C. Wright, and MacMahon, Morant was also one of the players who had "tuned out" Jenkins before his termination. This makes the organization worry about his leadership and influence on the team. This also makes it harder for the Grizzlies to establish a solid culture in the future.
Apart from that, his on-court behavior, particularly his finger gun gestures, is questionable not only for fans but also for the scouts.
Ja Morant's Stay in Memphis Might Be Numbered
Morant remains one of the most athletic and explosive guards in the league, one who can produce highlight-reel plays and rim-rocking finishes. But raw ability no longer pays the highest dividend.
In the second week of April, Sports World News reported that Morant was "unhappy" with the direction of the Grizzlies' front office. Before that, there were rumors that if Memphis did not get past the early playoff series, its prized point guard might be shipped to other teams this offseason.
© Copyright 2025 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
