The Memphis Grizzlies kicked off their 2025 offseason with a bold but somewhat anticipated move, stunning the NBA by trading star guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic. In exchange, Memphis acquired Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four first-round draft picks, and a pick swap—prompting widespread speculation about what the team’s next move might be.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, despite the Bane trade, the Grizzlies remain committed to building their roster around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
“I’m told that the Grizzlies are signaling privately that they will continue to build around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr,” Charania reported.
Still, with the offseason far from over, circumstances could shift—especially if an enticing deal presents itself.
Rohan Raman of Sports Illustrated proposed a hypothetical three-team trade that would send Ja Morant to the Sacramento Kings in return for All-Star center Domantas Sabonis:
Trade proposal:
- Kings receive: Ja Morant, Jay Huff, John Konchar
- Grizzlies receive: Domantas Sabonis, Kobe Bufkin, Vit Krejci, 2025 first-round pick from the Lakers via Atlanta (#22), unprotected 2027 first-round pick from San Antonio via Sacramento, and a top-8 protected 2029 first-round pick from Sacramento
- Hawks receive: GG Jackson
While a Morant trade appears unlikely, the Kings are seen as a team that might be willing to overpay. That said, even a package headlined by Sabonis and multiple picks might not be enough to convince Memphis to let go of their franchise point guard.
Sabonis, a three-time All-Star, has long been viewed as a potential fit alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. in the Memphis frontcourt. However, such a move may not necessarily elevate the Grizzlies’ overall competitiveness.
Sacramento would likely jump at the opportunity to land Morant to address their thin point guard rotation. But for such a pivotal figure in Memphis—both on the court and in the community—it may take more than a solid trade package to get a deal done. Additionally, some believe the Kings are already offering too much for Morant as it stands.
Injuries have limited Morant to just 59 games over the past two seasons, raising questions about his durability. Nonetheless, when healthy, he remains one of the league’s most dynamic point guards. The Grizzlies may be nearing a breaking point, however, with his ongoing on- and off-court issues.
There’s a possibility Memphis could be open to moving on from Morant, while the Kings might be the ideal team to take that gamble. Sacramento needs a transformative piece, and swapping Sabonis for Morant could be just that—if they can also flip DeMar DeRozan for a starting-caliber center. Still, for Memphis to seriously consider such a trade, they’d need significantly more incentive.