In the world of the NBA, “untouchable” is a temporary status. Just a few years ago, Ja Morant was the face of the future—a high-flying, gravity-defying superstar who had turned the Memphis Grizzlies into the league’s most exciting young team. He was the “Grind City” savior, the heir apparent to the league’s elite point guards.

But as of January 9, 2026, the unthinkable has happened. The Memphis Grizzlies are officially listening to trade offers for Ja Morant.

The report, first broken by Shams Charania, sent shockwaves through the basketball world. It wasn’t just a rumor whispered in dark corners of NBA Twitter; it was a confirmed signal flare. The franchise that drafted Morant second overall in 2019 has decided that the baggage, the injuries, and the stagnation are finally outweighing the talent.

The Fall of a Franchise Star

How did we get here? The breakdown of the situation paints a grim picture of a relationship that has slowly eroded over time.

“The decision to explore trades appears to be mutual,” the analysis notes, citing a laundry list of concerns: performance, injuries, leadership, and off-court issues.

Morant, now 26, is no longer the fresh-faced rookie. He is a veteran with a history of controversy. The gun-related suspensions of 2023 left a scar on the franchise that never fully healed. Reports indicate that Morant has felt alienated by teammates, and the locker room dynamic has been described as fractured. One anonymous executive didn’t mince words, describing Morant as “a pain in the ass” and comparing his trajectory to former stars like John Wall and Derrick Rose—players whose explosive athleticism was betrayed by their bodies and circumstances.

But perhaps the most damning evidence is on the court. Without Morant, the Grizzlies have actually been winning. They’ve won seven of their last ten games without him, playing a faster, more egalitarian style of basketball that involves young talents like Zach Edey and Scottie Pippen Jr. The “Ewing Theory”—the idea that a team plays better without its star—is alive and well in Memphis.

The Lakers’ “Superteam” Dream

Naturally, whenever a star hits the market, all eyes turn to Los Angeles. The Lakers, currently navigating the 2025-26 season with a revamped roster featuring LeBron James and—wait for it—Luka Dončić (acquired in a massive trade for Anthony Davis in 2025), are reportedly “checking in.”

The idea is tantalizing. A “Big Three” of LeBron, Luka, and Ja? It sounds like a video game cheat code. Morant’s explosive rim pressure could perfectly complement Luka’s methodical playmaking and LeBron’s high-IQ dominance.

“The appeal is obvious,” the report suggests. “Morant’s elite athleticism could complement Dončić in pick-and-rolls and provide energy in transition.”

However, reality is often more complicated than NBA 2K. Analysts are warning of a “too many cooks” situation. Can three ball-dominant superstars coexist? Who plays defense? And more importantly, do the Lakers even have the assets? With Dončić already on the books, the Lakers’ cupboard of draft picks and young players is bare compared to other suitors.

Most credible insiders see the Lakers as a potential “third team” facilitator rather than the final landing spot for Morant, perhaps acquiring solid role players like John Konchar while Ja heads elsewhere.

The Wolves at the Door

If not the Lakers, then who? The video highlights a crowded marketplace, but one team stands out as a terrifying contender: the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Imagine a backcourt of Anthony Edwards and Ja Morant. The athleticism alone would be enough to sell out arenas every night. The Timberwolves have the assets—young players like Naz Reid and draft capital—that the Grizzlies actually want. They offer a “fresh start” in a small market where Morant can focus on hoop, not Hollywood.

Other teams are lurking too. The Miami Heat, with their famous “Culture,” are seen as a potential rehabilitation center for Morant’s image. The Milwaukee Bucks, desperate to maximize Giannis Antetokounmpo’s prime, are also in the mix. Even the Brooklyn Nets and Toronto Raptors are being mentioned as dark horses.

A Value Crisis

The biggest risk for Memphis? They may have played their hand too early. By publicly signaling their willingness to trade Morant, they might have depressed his value.

“Memphis may have inadvertently weakened their negotiating position,” warns DeMarcus Cousins in his analysis. When the whole league knows you want to break up with your partner, they aren’t going to offer you the world to take them off your hands.

This is the high-stakes poker game of the NBA trade deadline. Memphis wants a haul of picks and young stars. Rival teams smell blood in the water and want a discount on a distressed asset.

The Verdict

As the February 5th deadline approaches, the clock is ticking on Ja Morant’s time in Memphis. Whether he ends up in the purple and gold of the Lakers, the snowy north of Minnesota, or the heat of South Beach, one thing is clear: the “Grind City” era is over.

For Grizzlies fans, it’s a bittersweet pill to swallow. They watched Ja grow up. They defended him through the scandals. But in the cold business of the NBA, winning cures everything—and right now, Memphis is winning without him.

The boy who could fly is looking for a new runway. And the entire NBA is watching to see where he lands.