NBA Trade Rumors: Ja Morant’s Market Price Compared to Luka Doncic’s Former Co-Star 

NBA: Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies - Source: Imagn
Looking at Ja Morant's trade value (Image Source: IMAGN)

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant could be part of a potential trade amid the recent drama. After he questioned the coaching staff's leadership, Morant received a one-game suspension. Following his suspension, the Grizzlies star revealed that he lost his joy playing for the franchise.

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With the recent events, there is a belief that Morant's time in Memphis is up. Although he's still considered a star, experts believe that he won't generate much value in the trade market. Both his off-court issues and his consistent decline in recent seasons have affected his worth.

According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, Morant's price could be similar to what the Dallas Mavericks gave up in 2023. The Mavericks traded Spencer Dinwiddie, Finney-Smith, a 2029 unprotected first-round pick and two second-rounders to the Brooklyn Nets. That gave them Kyrie Irving, who was Luka Doncic's co-star for a while.

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"As for what a possible return for Morant could look like, one team executive ESPN talked to pointed to the 2023 trade that sent Kyrie Irving from the Nets to the Dallas Mavericks. In that deal, the Nets received Spencer Dinwiddie, Finney-Smith, a 2029 unprotected first-round pick and two second-rounders," Marks wrote.

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That isn't much of a return package for a two-time All-Star who isn't in his 30s yet. Ja Morant is 26 and is in the third season of his five-year, $197 million contract. Experts are monitoring the situation closely, since the former Murray State guard has not asked to be traded yet.


An NBA insider claims that Ja Morant and Tuomas Iisalo don't have a connection

Building a relationship within the team is important, especially between a head coach and the team's star player. For the Grizzlies, however, NBA insider Kelly Iko has noticed that Ja Morant and head coach Tuomas Iisalo are barely communicating.

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On Wednesday, the Grizzlies suffered a 124-109 loss to the Houston Rockets, their fourth-straight loss. Iko noticed the disconnect and the undeniable tension between the two.

“Outside of a mini briefing midway through the fourth quarter with the game already out of reach, Morant didn’t speak to Iisalo,” Iko wrote. “During timeouts, Morant would be off to himself at either end of the bench, swimming in his own thoughts. There were no reassuring handshakes or taps from Iisalo whenever Morant was subbed out, the tension palpable within FedEx Forum.”
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Despite the drama, Ja Morant still hasn't asked to be traded elsewhere. Aside from his passive eight-point game against the LA Lakers last week, the NBA star has made himself available for the Grizzlies.

Until the star guard asks to be traded, fans can expect him to remain in Memphis and suit up for the team.

Grizzlies Nation! You can check out the latest Memphis Grizzlies Schedule and dive into the Grizzlies Depth Chart for NBA Season 2024-25.

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Edited by Reign Amurao
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