Mike Lopresti breaks down seven teams looking for a late-season surge with just under a month before Selection Sunday.An unnamed executive speculated about the future of Ja Morant this week and that the Memphis Grizzlies could consider trading him this offseason, but general manager Zach Kleiman sharply dismissed that possibility.
“I can’t blame other ‘executives’ for fantasizing about us trading Ja,” said Kleiman. “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.”
Morant is averaging 20.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 7.4 assists in 28.8 minutes over 32 games this season. The Grizzlies have taken a cautious approach this season with Morant’s minutes and games played in order to improve his odds of being healthy for the playoffs.
Both Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. will be eligible for contract extensions this offseason. The Grizzlies appeared to try to get ahead of those extensions by trading Marcus Smart at the deadline.
The Chicago Bulls will waive Adama Sanogo from his Two-Way contract, reports Chris Haynes. Sanogo will be out at least the next four weeks with a knee injury.
Sanogo, who went undrafted in 2023 out of UConn, has appeared in four games with the Bulls this season.
Sanogo has also appeared in 22 games with the Windy City Bulls, averaging 16.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 28.1 minutes.
In a related move, the Bulls will sign Jahmir Young to a Two-Way, reports Michael Scotto. Young has averaged 22.4 points, 7.3 assists and 4.5 rebounds in the G League.
The Toronto Raptors have signed guard Jared Rhoden to a 10-day contract.
Rhoden, 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, appeared in four games with Charlotte this season. He has also played in 20 Tip-Off Tournament and regular season games with Greensboro and Raptors 905 in the NBA G League, averaging 16.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 29.5 minutes. He is shooting .504 (133-264) from the field and .396 (40-101) from three-point range. Rhoden has scored in double figures in 17 games and 20+ points eight times, including a season-high 32 points Nov. 15 vs. Delaware.
