While the LA Clippers are working to grow the gap between being inside and outside the play-in tournament, matters can change quickly if improvement at the deadline occurs. The Clippers do not need teams behind them to upgrade, specifically the Memphis Grizzlies, who are currently tied for the Western Conference’s 11th seed.
Life is looking good for LA, at the moment, as Marc Stein of ‘The Stein Line’ reported that there is nothing being built between the Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, and Ja Morant. New Orleans needs a point guard, and Memphis evidently wants to trade Morant, but both parties may have to find another source to meet their needs.
One source close to the process tells @TheSteinLine that there are no discussions between the Pelicans and the Grizzlies on a potential Ja Morant deal ... despite persistent speculation to the contrary.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 26, 2026
More of the latest from NBA Trade Season is here: https://t.co/aft2KOTo6P https://t.co/dPeRxOELfy
The buzz had grown, yet it rapidly faded away, and with the deadline in a little over a week, the chance it surges again, and a deal actually pans out, is extremely low.
The Clippers must hope the Grizzlies do not upgrade from Ja Morant for the time being
Ja Morant has only been available for 20 games this season, and the Memphis Grizzlies are 18-26. He has essentially been either a non-factor or a sinking factor, shooting 23.5% from a distance and averaging 3.6 turnovers per game, which raises the question: how good would the Grizzlies be if they upgraded?
Literally anyone, healthy, an offensive threat, or a defensive specialist, or if they are lucky, all three, could easily propel them into the play-in tournament. They are only 2.5 games out.
Furthermore, the New Orleans Pelicans had several assets to offer the Grizzlies. They would have certainly found it amusing for the first and second overall picks of the same class in Morant and Zion Williamson to be rostered together, as well as next to rising stars in Trey Murphy III and Derik Queen.
Some upgrades for the Grizzlies were Jordan Poole, Herb Jones, and/or Jose Alvarado, who would all look great alongside Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Edey, and Cam Spencer.
The worst-case scenario for Memphis is evident: hold on to Morant after the deadline and hope his performances improve on the court. He scored 40 points a few games before his elbow injury, yet Memphis hopes this has boosted his trade value.
However, this is also the best case for the Clippers. They want the Grizzlies to stay put, or at least Morant, just for this season, as LA needs a bit of assistance to stay in the play-in tournament.