Ja Morant’s future in Memphis may be shifting as the February 5 trade deadline approaches. The talented but unpredictable Grizzlies point guard is reportedly available for trade, potentially bringing an end to his eventful time with the team.
As of January 15, DraftKings Sportsbook has updated odds on where Morant might land next. Here’s a look at the odds for his next NBA team after the trade deadline:
– Miami Heat: +200 (bet $10 to win $30 total)
– Memphis Grizzlies: +380 (bet $10 to win $48 total)
– Milwaukee Bucks: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
– Toronto Raptors: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
– Sacramento Kings: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
– Brooklyn Nets: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)
– Minnesota Timberwolves: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)
The Grizzlies had previously been favorites alongside the Bucks at +250 earlier in the week, but now the Heat have climbed to the top at +200. Meanwhile, Memphis’s odds fell to +380 and Milwaukee’s to +600.
Though Morant has been productive this season with averages of 19 points, 7.6 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1 steal per game, there are concerns. His shooting percentages are career lows—40.1% from the field and just 20.8% from three-point range, despite attempting 4.3 three-pointers per game.
More troubling is his availability; Morant has only played in 18 of Memphis’s 39 games this season. Throughout his career, injuries and suspensions have kept him off the court frequently, never appearing in more than 68 games in a single season.
Morant is currently in the third year of a five-year, $197.2 million contract that runs through the 2027-28 season. This season has seen a precedent with another star point guard, Trae Young, being traded from the Hawks to the Wizards, indicating that a move to the Eastern Conference could be likely for Morant.
The Miami Heat, now in eighth place in the East with a 21-19 record, could be a potential landing spot. The Heat have been consistent playoff contenders over the last six years, including NBA Finals appearances in the 2019-20 and 2022-23 seasons.
Fan Take: This potential trade could reshape the NBA landscape by sending one of its brightest young stars to a new team hungry for success. Basketball fans should watch closely, as Morant’s next move might ignite a fresh era of excitement and competition in the league.
