Sources: Ja Morant, Bucks have mutual interest

The Milwaukee Bucks are interested in trading for Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, sources told Ahn Fire Digital.

Morant doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, but he’s interested in getting traded to the Bucks to play with superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, sources said.

Milwaukee is known for making blockbuster deals to appease Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP who hasn’t been past the first round of the playoffs since 2022. The Bucks acquired Jrue Holiday from the New Orleans Pelicans in 2020 and Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023 and signed former Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner last offseason.

A two-time All-Star, Morant is making $39.4 million this season. He will make $42.2 million next season and $44.9 million in the 2027-28 season, the final year of his contract.

The Grizzlies are looking to get draft picks and young players in return for Morant, sources said. The Bucks are desperate to acquire another star next to Antetokounmpo and are expected to heavily pursue Morant, sources said.

Morant has appeared in 18 games this season for the Grizzlies. He’s averaging 19.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game while shooting 40.1 percent from the field, 20.8 percent from beyond the arc and 90.0 percent from the free-throw line. The Murray State product doesn’t enjoy playing for Memphis head coach Tuomas Iisalo and is “very much open” to continuing his NBA career elsewhere, sources said.

The 26-year-old Morant has career averages of 22.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. He was the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and won the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year Award and the 2021-22 Most Improved Player of the Year Award.

Despite being one of the most talented players in the game, Morant has only guided the Grizzlies past the first round of the playoffs once. He’s also gotten in trouble off the court for posting guns on social media.

The 2026 NBA trade deadline is Thursday, February 5 at 3 p.m. EST. It will be fascinating to see if the Bucks trade for Morant.