Image Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Grizzlies GM shuts down Ja Morant trade speculations, calls out these rumors ‘fantasy’

Grizzlies reporter Drew Hill briefly talked with Memphis Grizzlies GM Zack Kleiman on Ja Morant trade speculation.

Image Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Ja Morant’s trade story was floating around social media since the trade idea was suggested by NBA analyst Howard Beck. However, Memphis Grizzlies GM Zack Kleiman made response on Ja Morant’s trade speculations.

Grizzlies reporter Drew Hill had a brief conversation with Kleiman to discuss the trade rumors surrounding his starting guard. As per Drew Hill, Morant is unlikely to available this summer.

“I can’t blame other “executives” for fantasizing about us trading Ja. But it’s just that – fantasy,” Kleiman said.

Also Read:

“We are not trading Ja. Continue to underestimate Ja, this team and this city, and we will let our performance on the floor speak for itself. I’m not going to give this nonsense further oxygen and look forward to getting back to basketball.”

I reached out to Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman to see if he would comment about the recent speculation around Ja. Here’s what he had to say:

“I can’t blame other “executives” for fantasizing about us trading Ja. But it’s just that – fantasy. We are not trading Ja. Continue to…
— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) February 19, 2025

Howard Beck highlighted trade story surrounding Ja Morant

Earlier, Howard Beck of The Ringer floated the idea of Morant’s trade In a live episode of The Real Ones Podcast. He said that a team executive told him it’s worth keeping an eye on Ja Morant, who will be a possible trade candidate this offseason.

“I’m constantly checking in with executives around trade deadline about like, okay, what we saw, what we didn’t see, what’s next, and in this league you are always, always, always on the lookout for who’s the next wave of stars that are going to be dealt, right?” Beck admitted during an appearance on The Ringer NBA Show podcast.

“And somebody out of the blue said, ‘keep an eye on Ja (Morant) this summer.”

An NBA executive pegs Ja Morant as a star to “keep an eye on” as a potential trade candidate this summer

Per @HowardBeck on @ringer

(https://t.co/gGeXmAOXAt) pic.twitter.com/kNhJOCyU2n
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) February 18, 2025

Ja Morant is currently in this sixth season in the NBA. The Memphis star is one of the best and most electrifying point guards in the league. He has produced some cracking plays this season and recently, made a wish to take part in Slam-Dunk Contest.

The two-time NBA All-Star is averaging 20.7 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 44.7 percent from the field and 32.1 percent from three in 32 games.

The Memphis Grizzlies have the second-best record in the Western Conference standings with 36-18, trailing the Thunder by eight games. The second-half sprint will start after the All-Star break and Memphis would look to maintain their momentum ahead of the playoffs.

Image Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Ja Morant

Memphis Grizzlies

NBA Trade

Gulshan Sharma

nba

soccer

wnba

A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.