Three years ago, Ja Morant was the future. Two-time All-Star. Most Improved Player. Signature shoe. A 2022 All-NBA selection that put him squarely in the "franchise cornerstone" category. The Memphis Grizzlies were his team, and the league was his playground.
Today, the Grizzlies are shopping him to anyone who will listen. And according to one NBA executive, the response they're getting is brutal.
📉 The Quote That Says Everything: "When I say he has no value, I don't even think that's accurate," ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported. "I think he's got, what they call in the league, 'negative value.' And what that means is teams were not willing to take Ja Morant unless the Grizzlies also attached draft compensation. In other words, you have to pay us to take him."
The numbers tell a story of steady erosion. Morant has played just 79 combined games over the past three seasons — suspensions for incidents involving firearms, recurring injuries, and a steadily declining shooting percentage have cratered his availability and production. Since his only All-NBA selection in 2022, Morant hasn't shot above 31% from three-point range in four consecutive seasons.
In the 2025-26 season, he averaged 19.5 points on 41% shooting and 8.1 assists per game in just 20 starts. The Grizzlies went 25-57, trading away Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. to kickstart a rebuild. Morant, the last remaining piece of the old era, became the obvious next domino.
When the Grizzlies made him available at the trade deadline, Morant was reportedly "deeply disappointed." He hadn't asked for a trade. But the writing was on the wall. And with two years and roughly $87 million remaining on his five-year, $197 million deal, the question is no longer whether he moves — it's what anyone is willing to give up for him.
⏳ The Availability Problem: 79 games played out of 213 possible since the start of the 2023-24 season. That's 37%. You can't earn a max extension from the training room.
The Grizzlies' problem is straightforward: Morant's contract is massive, his availability is unreliable, and his shooting has regressed every year. At the February trade deadline, the market was described as "soft" — only Sacramento and Miami showed "very modest" interest.
Bleacher Report's Dan Favale predicted the Grizzlies would be "lucky to get more than one outright first-round pick" in return. The trade speculation has linked Morant to Miami, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Phoenix, Sacramento, and Toronto — but none of those teams are offering a godfather package. The Timberwolves, despite needing a point guard upgrade, have reportedly backed away because Morant's contract doesn't fit their financial philosophy. The Heat, who initially showed interest, have since cooled because they're protecting cap space for the 2028 free-agent class — including a potential run at Giannis Antetokounmpo.
There's a certain grim poetry to it. The player who once had the league at his feet now needs a team to talk themselves into him.
Morant's current deal pays him $42.2 million next season and $44.9 million in 2027-28. He's reportedly hopeful of securing a max extension next summer — a goal that seems wildly ambitious given his current market value.
Let's compare Morant's situation to a recent benchmark. Trae Young, who has a $49 million player option and is coming off a season where he averaged similar production, was traded to Washington for a package that most executives considered underwhelming. Morant's two guaranteed seasons help Memphis — but his injury and suspension history hurt more than Young's ever did.
| Factor | Helps His Value | Hurts His Value |
|---|---|---|
| Contract | Two years guaranteed (predictable cost) | $42M+ cap hit limits trade partners |
| Availability | Still only 26 years old | 79 games in three seasons |
| Production | 8.1 assists per game (elite playmaking) | 41% shooting, declining efficiency |
| Market | Weak free-agent PG class in 2026 | Off-court history makes teams cautious |
If Morant is traded and plays a full, productive season with his new team, his next contract could land in the $30-35 million annual range — roughly what Fred VanVleet earns. If he misses more time or his shooting continues to decline, he's looking at a mid-level exception or a "prove it" short-term deal. For a player who once projected as a perennial max earner, that represents a catastrophic loss of earnings.
Morant's current contract runs through 2027-28. If he's traded to a team in Florida or Texas — Miami, Orlando, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas — he'd save roughly $2-3 million annually on state income tax compared to staying in Tennessee. That might be the one bright spot in a situation that's otherwise financially grim.
For a player whose career earnings were once projected to exceed $400 million, the gap between "what could have been" and "what is" is growing wider by the season. Morant's story is a cautionary tale — not just about off-court decisions, but about how quickly a franchise cornerstone can become a contract teams are afraid to touch.
Further reading: Free Agent Playbook: Compare After-Tax Earnings · No State Tax Teams vs. High Tax States · Agent Commission Across Leagues
See how much of a max contract — or a reduced deal — actually hits the bank after taxes, escrow, and agent fees:
Use the Free Calculator →Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. All data sourced from Spotrac, ESPN, Bleacher Report, and Basketball-Reference. Always consult a qualified professional.
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