Houston Rockets Not Interested In Trading For Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant

The Houston Rockets are not interested in trading for Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, sources told DallasHoopsJournal. Sam Amick of The Athletic was the first to report on the Rockets’ lack of interest in a Morant trade. Many people around the NBA connected the Rockets to Morant since Fred VanVleet will miss the season recovering from his ACL tear. However, Houston has no interest in breaking up its roster and parting ways with future draft picks for Morant, who signed a five-year, $197 million extension with Memphis in 2022. Morant will make $39.4 million this season, $42.2 million in the 2026-27 season and $44.9 million in the 2027-28 season, which is the final year of his contract. The Rockets are 5-2 on the season. They have no reason to make changes to their roster. Ime Udoka’s group is first in the NBA in points per game, fifth in points per game allowed, first in offensive rating, fifth in defensive rating and first in net rating. The Grizzlies recently suspended Morant one game due to conduct detrimental to the team. Morant doesn’t have a good relationship with head coach Tuomas Iisalo, sources said. Morant has only led the Grizzlies to the second round of the playoffs once. The Murray State product, who won the 2021-22 Most Improved Player of the Year Award, is averaging 20.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists this season while shooting 38.3% from the field, 14.0% from beyond the arc and 95.8% from the free-throw line. Morant, 26, has career averages of 22.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.4 assists in the NBA. He was the second overall pick in the 2019 draft. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings are monitoring the Morant situation with the Grizzlies, per Amick. Morant doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.