The NBA panorama shifted dramatically when the Dallas Mavericks shocked everybody by buying and selling Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The transfer, involving a 25-year-old celebrity with no prior warning, despatched ripples by means of the league.
Now, each franchise participant may be questioning about their very own safety – together with Ja Morant, who’s been the cornerstone of the Memphis Grizzlies since they chose him second general in 2019.
However the Grizzlies aren’t having any of that hypothesis. Basic Supervisor Zach Kleiman shortly addressed these swirling rumors in a dialog with Drew Hill of The Day by day Memphian.
His stance? They’re not even entertaining the concept of buying and selling their star level guard.
“I can’t blame other ‘executives’ for fantasizing about us trading Ja. But it’s just that – fantasy. We are not trading Ja. Continue to underestimate Ja, this team and this city, and we will let our performance on the floor speak for itself. I’m not going to give this nonsense further oxygen and look forward to getting back to basketball,” Kleiman advised Hill, who shared the quote on X.
Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman addresses report that Grizzlies might look to commerce Ja this summer time
(by way of @DrewHill_DM) pic.twitter.com/GS3VEa9Fdd
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 19, 2025
I reached out to Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman to see if he would remark concerning the latest hypothesis round Ja. Right here’s what he needed to say:
“I can’t blame other “executives” for fantasizing about us buying and selling Ja. Nevertheless it’s simply that – fantasy. We’re not buying and selling Ja. Proceed to…
— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) February 19, 2025
The numbers again up Kleiman’s confidence. Morant continues to drive the Grizzlies’ success, marking his fourth consecutive season averaging at the least 20 factors and 7 assists per recreation.
Furthermore, the monetary image in Memphis seems to be secure – the group has loads of wage cap house and is nicely beneath the luxurious tax.
This consists of their core gamers: Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane.
Talking of Jackson, whereas he’s eligible for an extension this summer time, the Grizzlies may profit from ready till 2026.
The Grizzlies have constructed one thing particular, with their prime eight scorers this season all being 26 or youthful.
Buying and selling Morant would imply dismantling years of cautious group development – a transfer that makes little sense given their present trajectory and monetary flexibility.
The put up Grizzlies GM Speaks Out About Ja Morant Commerce Rumors appeared first on The Chilly Wire.
