With Grizzlies rebuilding, Ja Morant expected to be moved next

On Tuesday afternoon, the Memphis Grizzlies traded forward Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz in a blockbuster move involving eight total players and three future first-round picks. Following Jackson’s departure — a transaction that now gives general manager Zach Kleiman 13 future first-round picks over the next seven years (in addition to a $29 million trade exception) — rival executives anticipate a reduction in Ja Morant’s asking price, potentially accelerating a departure by Thursday’s trade deadline, sources tell Yahoo Sports.

Despite publicly and privately professing his profound love for the organization, Morant is now resigned to the fact that the Grizzlies are pivoting toward a full rebuild, with his future away from the franchise that drafted him.

Despite Memphis’ claims that Jackson was an overwhelmingly positive locker room presence and part of the Grizzlies’ core — which surfaced once news of Morant’s impending exit broke — the overwhelming belief was Jackson was operating on borrowed time. Following Morant being put on the block, a slew of interested teams aggressively approached Memphis, gauging the temperature on a potential trade, but Utah’s package — with a trio of coveted future firsts — was enough to push Kleiman to pull the trigger, sources say.

Because of Jackson’s production and positive influence, his market was naturally more robust than that of Morant, who has dealt with a litany of injuries and a decline in production. Sources say Morant has a diminished market — with interested teams wary of meeting Memphis’ previous demands. On a related note, the Grizzlies are becoming increasingly aware they won’t recoup a similar haul compared to Jackson or Desmond Bane in a Morant deal, sources say.

A curtailment on Morant’s price should appeal to Miami and Minnesota, two of the interested teams that have been monitoring the situation — while keeping the bulk of their assets focused on Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. (There is a growing thought that the Heat would grant Morant the extension he’s been seeking, sources said.)

The Grizzlies are now also interested in being a facilitator in any Antetokounmpo deal elsewhere and are monitoring that situation closely, sources say. Prior to Tuesday’s trade activity, Memphis was exploring the possibility of being part of a multi-team deal involving Minnesota and Milwaukee for Antetokounmpo that would have sent beloved Grizzlies guard Mike Conley back to Memphis, sources say. Minnesota instead moved Conley in a deal with the Bulls.