Sources: What Grizzlies should expect for Ja Morant, other veterans on trade block

The Memphis Grizzlies are in a fascinating position this offseason. After trading Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. within the last year, they hold the third, 16th, and 32nd picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. Clearly, Beale Street basketball is pivoting toward a full-scale rebuild. EVP Zach Kleiman still needs to clean house in some regards though, mainly, Ja Morant, Santi Aldama, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Ty Jerome.

By all accounts, Kleiman does not have to run a fire sale to save any jobs. The Grizzlies do, however, have to be honest to get this demolition phase done cleanly. The asset base is surprisingly robust given their rebuilding trajectory, so the path back to contention should be relatively quick. As for trade pieces looking for new scenery, Aldama and Jerome offer excellent fitting skill sets and contracts that contenders value according to league sources.

Expect both Aldama and Jerome to be pursued aggressively. Caldwell-Pope is a functional expiring salary that can facilitate larger moves or return modest draft capital. However, there is very little urgency to deal with KCP’s player option situation around the league.

Morant is the wild card. A former superstar whose value has collapsed but who could still be the centerpiece of a high-risk, high-reward trade for a team willing to gamble? In surveying a handful of the usual NBA Summer League suspects, the question now is not whether the Grizzlies keep dealing, but what their remaining movable assets are actually worth.

For Kleiman’s front office, the right approach is not asking, “Who is the best player?” It is asking, “What kind of buyer can justify the risk?”

Ja Morant not joking

Ja Morant’s ability to manipulate defensive shells via paint penetration creates open looks remains elite. No one doubts his ability an a dynamic Tier 1 creator who could still be the engine of a top-six level squad, when engaged and available. The problem for the Grizzlies is that far too many around the NBA thinks Nike’s best young salesman checked out far too often over the past 18 months.

Suspensions and reported coaching clashes have not helped, even though ClutchPoints saw firsthand how Morant approached self improvement over the last two seasons. Morant’s book club readings (favorite: George Mumford’s The Mindful Athlete: Secrets to Pure Performance) and therapy helped him stay engaged with the improvement process. Keeping in touch with this team was a bit more difficult as no one wants to spend seasons watching from the sidelines. Still, he was constantly cheerleading.

With all of the underlying, off-court variables factored in the Grizzlies will not get a retail price for a distressed asset. Kleiman did cling to the belief that Morant is worth more than Trea Young at the trade deadline and it’s understood that is still the case this summer. Still, it’s time to hit the outlet mall so everyone can move on in a fresh fit with some change left over to have fun elsewhere.

And the money matters, especially since any team acquiring Morant would be roped into extension talks immediately. The contract could be viewed as a short-term ticket-selling bet as well, a star to paper over some rough years. That’s why Taylor Jenkins and the Milwaukee Bucks have been mentioned often as a likely landing spot. Milwaukee will need a marquee name, Jenkins will want a fighting chance, and Morant won’t find a better spot for a redemption opportunity.

Even in the most optimistic scenario, Memphis likely recovers only one first-round pick and a young prospect, far less than the bounty received for Bane or Jackson Jr. but still more than the Atlanta Hawks got for Trae Young.

Best case: Recieve a 2027/2028 first round pick, a ‘bad’ multi-year contract, and young player with upside but lacking a path to playing time on their current team. Think Jordan Poole, Jordan Hawkins, and filler. Or Tyler Herro, and Nikola Jović, with Miami surrendering one unprotected first-round pick (likely after 2030) and a swap. A straight swap with Sacramento Kings for Zach LaVine is more in line with how the Young deal went down.

Worst case: Send out a 2027 first round pick to be done with the headache, take on a sizeable yet unwanted veteran contract in the same way Memphis took on KCP, get multiple second round picks back. Jakob Poeltl, Patrick Williams, Jerami Grant, Immanuel Quickley, and Paul George have been mentioned in back gym conversations.

Maybe there is a middle ground where the Grizzlies can get Royce O’Neale, Grayson Allen, and Ryan Dunn from Devin Booker’s Phoenix Suns. Anything feels better than paying for the privledge of doing business however. It’ll be tough, same as it was a the trade deadline.

In just 20 games before being shut down, Morant’s three-point percentage plummetted along with the efficiency numbers. Hence the checked out chirping from other scouts. Those paying attention will not be surprised if Morant is the big name moved when the league gathers in Las Vegas for Summer League action. Once considered untouchable with the Grizzlies, now it seems like only a few middling teams (Bucks, Raptors, Kings, Bulls, Pelicans, Nets, Rockets) have sent out any kind of feelers over the past 12 months.

Santi Aldama, NBA Draft deals

Santi Aldama looks like the cleanest value play and is one of the nicest guys in the NBA. It’s hard to find a humble 25-year-old, 7-foot forward with real production, passing feel and shooting touch available for near or below market price. Just ask any NBA executive making Trey Murphy III calls. The Spanish star is a premium young, postseason-tested starter on a relatively team friendly deal. Contenders are expected to offer at least one late first round pick and a young wing, eventually. The Grizzlies have every reason to keep pressing for a second protected pick or swap.

Like poker players playing the same hand but they don’t know it, it’s 51/49 on whether a trade happens before the NBA Draft. Who folds first, basically? The value is tough to gauge. It seems to sit somewhere between PJ Washington, Deni Avdija, or the Jerami Grant transactions. Washington was the centerpiece the Mavericks acquired in exchange for Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and a top-two protected 2027 first-round pick.

Avdija was worth Malcolm Brogdon, the 14th overall pick (Bub Carrington), a 2029 first round pick (the second-most favorable of Portland’s, Boston’s, or Milwaukee’s picks), and two second rounders. Grant’s deal required a 2025 first-round draft pick (via Milwaukee), a 2025 second-round draft pick and a 2026 second-round draft pick.

The precedent is set. Versatile, size-fluid forward commands at least one high-value first-round pick or a package of premium second-rounders alongside an established rotation piece.

Best case: The Oklahoma City Thunder could offer a package centered on two first-round picks (likely 2027 and 2029) if the clear Isaiah Hartenstein’s $28.5 million contract. OKC possesses a war chest of picks and a need for frontcourt versatility. With Aldama sporting a $17.1 milion cap hit over the next two seasons, the Grizzlies know how much the Thunder need that ~$11.4 million in saving.

Worst case: The New York Knicks, who have shown prior interest, could send Mikal Bridges or Josh Hart and a protected first-rounder. The Detroit Pistons represent another suitor willing to pay for immediate frontcourt help, but probably not much more than Caris LeVert and swap rights.

The Pascal Siakam trade to Indiana in 2024 is instructive. The Pacers sent Bruce Brown, Jordan Nwora, and three first-round picks to the Toronto Raptors for the All-Star forward. While Aldama lacks Siakam’s star pedigree, his age and contract make him arguably a better value asset. The Spanish star’s combination of production and contract are Kleiman’s most fungible high-value asset.

KCP’s sell-on clause

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, now 33-years-old, is no longer the elite 3-and-D wing who helped the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets win championships. His scoring has dipped to 8.4 PPG, his lowest since his rookie season, and KCP’s three-point shooting has fallen below league average. However, his expiring contract ($21.6 million coming off the books in 2027) holds significant value for teams looking to clear future cap space.

Best case: Lebron’s Los Angeles Lakers pay a few second rounders for the reunion, perhaps in a larger deal. Use Caldwell-Pope’s contract and picks to move up in the 2026 NBA Draft. If the Grizzlies attaches a second-round pick to KCP, they could potentially acquire a lightly protected future first from a team desperate to shed 2027 salary.

Worst case: Eat the contract, let it expire, get nothing in return.

The Grizzlies essentially absorbed KCP’s contract last summer to acquire a future first-round pick from the Orlando Magic. Now, they can flip him again with a little finesse. A team with looming luxury tax concerns might surrender a protected first or multiple seconds just to offload long-term salary. Swap Caldwell-Pope’s bad 2026 number for someone else’s worse 2027 number. It’s simple math to accumulate assets.

Grizzlies go new direction

The baseline market value for Ty Jerome mirrors trades like Monte Morris to the Washington Wizards for Shake Milton, Troy Brown Jr., and a 2030 second-round pick. Teams look at Jerome as a high-floor reserve who can steer a bench unit for 15-20 minutes a night without bleeding efficiency. He missed 46 games with a calf injury, but his per-game production has been elite and is considered a “sell high” candidate this summer. Even if Jerome regresses to a 12-14 PPG bench scorer, his contract remains one of the NBA’s most favorable.

Best case: The Orlando Magic need shooting and guard playmaking. A package of Goga Bitadze and a future lottery-protected first-round pick would be tempting. Even a single unprotected first-round pick from a desperate contender (like the Phoenix Suns or Golden State Warriors) might be enough to pry Jerome loose. The calf injury is a real risk, but his $9.2 million salary makes him easily movable.

Worst case: Donte DiVincenzo and a second round pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kleiman is holding four very different cards. Morant is the franchise-altering decision. The precedents (Lillard, Beal, Young) warn that a star traded from a position of weakness returns picks and youth, not equal star value. Aldama is the hidden gem whose cheap, optionable contract makes him both a trade chip and the perfect sweetener. KCP is salary-matching currency whose down year limits standalone value but whose expiring deal greases bigger trades. Jerome is the bargain other front offices would happily take off the clearance rack.

If the Grizzlies are committed to the reset that the Bane and Jackson Jr. trades already signaled, the concensus smart play is to treat Morant as the capital-generating centerpiece, use KCP’s expiring money to expand the deal, and decide carefully whether Aldama and Jerome are pieces to flip for more picks or cost-controlled keepers. Holding the third overall pick gives them a foundation. These four players determine how much they can build around whoever that player becomes.

A simple rule for the offseason? Do not confuse name value with trade value. Morant has the biggest name. Aldama may have the cleanest market. Jerome may have the best low-cost appeal. Caldwell-Pope may be most useful helping make the math work. For a franchise trying to reset without bottoming out, that distinction matters.

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