On January 13th Beijing time, as reported by Kelly Iko, given the standout displays from young players such as Coward, Zach Edey, Jalen Wells, and Cam Spencer, the Grizzlies' front office is determined to pivot their team-building strategy towards nurturing rookies. During discussions with other team executives, a viewpoint has gained traction: although the Grizzlies insist that Jaren Jackson Jr. remains the future cornerstone and complements Morant’s style well,if the Morant trade ultimately goes through, Jaren Jackson Jr. could be the next player put on the trading block.


Earlier this season, the Timberwolves made several inquiries about Morant; the Heat have also been closely monitoring Morant’s situation due to Rozier’s absence. However, salary cap flexibility is very limited across the league, especially for teams targeting the playoffs. Morant’s $39.4 million salary this season, along with a $86 million contract over the next two years, presents a significant obstacle for any trade.
For example, the Timberwolves’ trade package—including Reed (who cannot be traded before January 16), Mike Conley (whom Memphis fans would gladly welcome back), Dillingham, and young Terrence Shannon—meets the collective bargaining agreement requirements. Yet, the problem is that the Timberwolves are already in the luxury tax threshold. Would it truly improve the team to sacrifice roster depth for an injury-prone point guard, even if he forms an attractive duo with Anthony Edwards?

League executives have also mentioned a potential "dark horse" team—the Toronto Raptors. Currently holding a winning record and fourth place in the East, the Raptors reportedly regret the performances of Quickley and Barrett, whose combined salaries reach $60 million, placing the team in a difficult position. They clearly need to upgrade their roster (which explains their previous interest in Anthony Davis), and Morant’s offensive aggression and impact might benefit them. But the question remains: is the package of Quickley, Murray-Boyles, and Abaki enough to convince the Grizzlies? More importantly, is Morant really worth such an offer?

From now until the February 6 trade deadline, these key questions surrounding Morant will continue to dominate league discussions. The Grizzlies are not currently a strong team and may struggle to reach elite status in the near future. Trading Morant to give both sides a fresh start appears to be the most logical and necessary decision.