Report: Grizzlies not looking to move Morant, Jackson
The Memphis Grizzlies aren't entering a rebuild and plan to keep both Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., sources told ESPN's Tim Bontemps.
The Grizzlies shipped Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic over the weekend for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four first-round picks, and a first-round pick swap.
Memphis gained more financial flexibility with the move, as it is no longer responsible for the four years and $163 million remaining on Bane's contract. Caldwell-Pope and Anthony, meanwhile, each have one year left on their deals, plus a player and team option, respectively.
The Grizzlies have been making cap space for a Jackson Jr. renegotiation and extension for several months, and there is a belief within the organization that a deal will get done, Bontemps reports. They traded Marcus Smart and his $21.5-million salary to the Washington Wizards at the trade deadline to free up some room.
Jackson Jr. is entering the final campaign of his rookie extension and is eligible for a four-year deal worth $146 million. He tallied 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 1.2 steals in 74 games in 2024-25 but failed to make an All-NBA team and is therefore ineligible for the supermax extension. The 25-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2026 if an agreement isn't reached.
Morant, meanwhile, has struggled to remain available, having only played in 59 regular-season contests over the past two campaigns due to injury and suspensions. He averaged 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds while posting 45.3/30.9/82.4 shooting splits last year.
The Grizzlies also roster Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells, both of whom finished in the top five of Rookie of the Year voting.
Memphis fired head coach Taylor Jenkins near the end of the regular season and appointed assistant Tuomas Iisalo as his permanent replacement. The Finnish international will be tasked with building an offensive scheme focused on Jackson Jr. and Morant.
Memphis finished the 2024-25 campaign with a 48-34 record, good for eighth in the West. The Grizzlies made it through the play-in tournament but were eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.