Hill: It’s no secret how the Grizzlies and Ja Morant got to this point
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant looks on from the bench in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at FedExForum. (Brandon Dill/AP)
Drew Hill
Drew Hill covers the Memphis Grizzlies and is a top-10 APSE winner. He has worked throughout the South writing about college athletics before landing in Memphis.
This date was approaching for the Memphis Grizzlies.Â
Each time Ja Morant sat on the bench with a disengaged look, the picture became clearer.Â
Then, finally, the news dropped on Friday, Jan. 9: The Grizzlies are ready to do it. They are entertaining trade offers for the face of the franchise.Â
How did we get here, just one season after general manager Zach Kleiman said that any Morant trade was only fantasy?
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