NBA Market Update: Grizzlies' Asking Price for Morant Revealed, Nuggets Reject Watson Trade

On January 17th Beijing time, three weeks ahead of the NBA trade deadline, HoopsHype gathered the newest information about Grizzlies stars Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., Mavericks stars Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving, Nuggets forward Peyton Watson, and Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga.

Morant's Trade Market

For the first time in franchise history, the Memphis Grizzlies are seriously considering trade offers from various teams for their 26-year-old All-Star guard Ja Morant. Scouts from multiple teams who have evaluated Morant’s games noted his effort and intensity on the court have been notably low this season.

Sources within the league told HoopsHype that despite his significant decline in form, several teams including the Heat, Bucks, Kings, Raptors, and Pelicans have expressed interest in acquiring Morant via trade recently.

There are rumors inside the league that Morant himself has been eager for months to join the Miami Heat.

If the Heat ultimately acquire Morant, Terry Rozier’s expiring contract worth $26.64 million is almost certain to be included in the trade package. Italian backup forward Simone Fontecchio, who has a career three-point shooting percentage of 36.3% and carries an $8.31 million expiring contract, is also considered an attractive trade piece.

Several league executives interviewed by HoopsHype believe the Heat’s ideal plan is that if Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes available in the trade market this summer, they would offer more draft picks to make a strong push for the superstar.

Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks are actively exploring the trade market, aiming to add key support around Giannis, with Morant being one of their potential targets.Sources revealed that in trade discussions involving Morant, the Grizzlies have explicitly requested a Bucks first-round pick in either 2031 or 2032, along with Ryan Rollins, a candidate for the Most Improved Player award.On the Bucks’ side, they are testing the trade value of forwards Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis across the league. According to sources, to meet salary matching rules under the collective bargaining agreement, both players could be included in a Morant trade, but doing so would significantly weaken the Bucks’ frontcourt depth.

The Bucks and Kings have held preliminary talks about a deal involving Portis plus an unnamed minimum-salary player in exchange for Kings’ Keon Ellis and Malik Monk. The Bucks have long sought to boost their scoring, and Monk theoretically fits this need, while Ellis has also been on Milwaukee’s radar for some time.

Additionally, the Kings have inquired about Morant’s asking price, but there is internal disagreement: on one hand, they must assess whether they are willing to give up current assets for Morant; on the other, the team is focused on developing young players like Keegan Murray, Nick Claxton, and Maxim Reinhold, while also testing the trade market for veterans Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan.

In fact, sources revealed that before the Clippers’ recent strong run with 11 wins in 13 games, the Kings discussed a trade with the Clippers involving DeRozan and Ellis for Clippers forward John Collins plus a small salary-matching player.

The Raptors, Pelicans, and Timberwolves have also contacted the Grizzlies to discuss the possibility of trading for Morant. Finally, there are speculations within the league about whether the Rockets and Nets might consider acquiring Morant, but sources say the likelihood is low.

Jaren Jackson Jr.’s Future

According to ESPN, despite the rampant trade rumors around Morant, the Memphis Grizzlies still regard Jaren Jackson Jr. as a foundational piece of the team. However, HoopsHype learned from league sources that this stance has not stopped several teams, including the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, from expressing interest in Jackson.

Considering Morant might leave before the trade deadline and that starting center Zach Edey’s injury recovery could be prolonged, the Grizzlies may shift focus toward developing young players like Cedric Coward, Cam Spencer, and Jaylen Wells, while aiming to secure a high lottery pick this season.

Looking ahead, Jackson’s contract over the next four seasons totals $205 million, with a player option in the 2029-30 season. As an All-Star player in his prime and a defensive force worthy of All-Defensive Team honors, Jackson is highly attractive to many teams across the league.

If Morant is indeed traded before the deadline, it is expected that more teams will actively inquire about Jackson from the Grizzlies.

Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving’s Next Moves

After joining the Dallas Mavericks in a trade involving Luka Doncic, Davis has played only 29 games for the team. His contract totals $121.24 million, with a player option for the 2027-28 season. Approaching his 33rd birthday in March, Davis is still seeking a contract extension.Given these factors, Davis’s trade market is very limited, with the Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors being the main potential destinations.

The Mavericks officially announced that Davis’s recent hand injury does not require surgery, with an expected recovery time of about six weeks. Several league executives interviewed by HoopsHype predict that due to diminished trade value, Davis will likely remain with the Mavericks after the trade deadline unless the team decides to completely unload his contract.

HoopsHype previously reported that the Hawks have consistently refused to include their 2026 unprotected first-round pick and lottery pick Ressha in any trade package for Davis. Sources say that although the Hawks might consider trading Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kennard’s expiring contracts, given Davis’s latest injury, the team is not in a hurry to finalize a deal.

Looking toward the trade deadline, the Mavericks have three options: immediately offload Davis’s contract; keep him and pursue a trade in the offseason; or retain him, wait for Kyrie Irving’s return from injury, Cooper Flagg entering his second professional season, and combine that with the expected lottery pick to continue competing with this roster.

However, the Mavericks must face the reality that no matter which path they choose, Davis has become a “sunk cost,” and the scrutiny sparked by GM Nico Harrison’s earlier trade sending Doncic to the Lakers will never be erased.

Meanwhile, despite speculation about whether Irving can recover from his torn ACL this season, the Mavericks have no urgent need to rush his return.

Nuggets Reject Trade Offers for Peyton Watson

This season, the Denver Nuggets’ starting lineup has been plagued by injuries, with Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cameron Johnson all missing time. However, during this period, forward Peyton Watson has emerged as a bright spot, seizing the opportunity to break out with averages of 13.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.0 block, and 1.0 steal per game, shooting 51.1% overall and 40.8% from three-point range.

Watson’s impressive performance has attracted trade interest from multiple teams, but league sources told HoopsHype that the Nuggets have declined all inquiries regarding the 23-year-old wing player and plan to re-sign him in restricted free agency this summer.

Kuminga’s Trade Rumors

The relationship between Kuminga and the Warriors is heading toward the widely predicted outcome over the past year — a parting of ways.

League sources told HoopsHype that the Kings have shown the strongest and most determined interest in Kuminga. During the offseason, the Kings considered a sign-and-trade deal involving a protected first-round pick plus Malik Monk for Kuminga. However, the situation has changed, and the Kings are now unwilling to give up their first-round pick. To complete a deal, a third team may be required. Meanwhile, the Warriors have made it clear they are not interested in Monk and prefer to receive expiring contracts.

The Bulls were previously linked to Kuminga, holding many expiring contracts that could be used for trade matching. However, it remains unclear how much draft compensation the Bulls are willing to offer and whether their interest remains as strong as before.

Sources say the Mavericks and Trail Blazers are also considered potential landing spots for Kuminga. Conversely, the Heat’s interest in Kuminga has noticeably cooled.Additionally, while the Wizards had some minor contact with Kuminga, they are not expected to aggressively pursue the forward.

This 23-year-old forward’s contract for next season is $24.3 million with a team option, a flexible clause that makes him an attractive target for interested teams.

Besides Kuminga, Buddy Hield is also a trade candidate within the Warriors. Having fallen out of the rotation, Hield might be included alongside Kuminga in trades to help the Warriors acquire a player with a salary around $30 million. If Moody and others are added, the Warriors could potentially land a star with a salary in the $40 million range through trade.

Notably, league sources revealed that the Warriors once discussed trading for Nets’ All-Star candidate Michael Porter Jr. But according to YES Network reports, the Nets aim to make further progress next season, and Porter is likely to remain a key part of their plans.