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Ja Morant continues to don the Memphis Grizzlies jersey, though his tenure might be nearing its conclusion.
Following their decisive 132-101 defeat against the Rockets, the Grizzlies conducted exit interviews on Monday to wrap up their season.
However, Morant was conspicuously absent.
According to Damichael Cole of the Commercial Appeal, Morant, along with teammates Brandon Clarke and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, missed these post-season discussions after Memphis concluded with a disappointing 25-57 record.
When questioned about the two-time All-Star guard, Zach Kleiman, the general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations, provided an enigmatic response, highlighting the team’s previous contemplation of trading him during the winter.
“I think everyone is on the same page as much as they can be,” he said. “I’m not going to speculate on potential transactions.”
As ESPN’s Shams Charania reported in February, the Grizzlies — for the first time — were entertaining trade offers for the mercurial star, who has struggled with injuries and suspensions in recent years.
The Grizzlies and Morant, Kleiman said on Monday, have had “open, honest and respectful communication”, while the executive also said that Morant has acted like a “pro.”
The oft-injured 26-year-old has played just 79 games over the past three seasons, including 20 this year, as he was shut down in March following a torn UCL.
He was also seen brandishing a gun on two separate occasions in 2023, leading to 33 games in total suspension time.
After signing a five-year, $197million rookie extension with the team, Morant is under contract in Memphis through the 2027-28 season.
Nonetheless, the team is in rebuild mode after trading Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Jazz and finishing this season with the sixth-best lottery odds.
The Grizzlies will find out their lottery fate on May 10.