The Memphis Grizzlies entered the draft without a clear trade partner for Ja Morant, making a case for retaining the point guard. Tuesday’s first-round selections added 6-9 forward Cameron Boozer and versatile wing Karim Lopez to a roster already thinned by the departures of Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. With the Pelicans officially ending their pursuit, the market for Morant has effectively dried up.

Morant’s playoff résumé speaks for itself. He averaged 30 points and just under 10 assists per game in the postseason, cementing his status among the league’s elite creators. The former rookie-of-the-year also burst onto the NBA scene at 20, quickly becoming a fan favorite in Memphis. Despite a league-wide perception that paints him as a negative asset, his measurable impact remains undeniable.

Cameron Boozer arrives with a college stat line that suggests an immediate scoring and spacing boost: 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 56 percent from the field, 39 percent from three and 79 percent from the line in the 2025-26 season. Those numbers, combined with his 6-9, 253-pound frame, give Morant a reliable rim-running option. Karim Lopez, described as a do-everything forward, adds wing versatility that can free Morant to exploit mismatches in pick-and-roll situations.

Memphis has already signaled a willingness to rebuild by trading Bane and Jackson Jr. for draft capital, but the Morant situation differs because the franchise still possesses a core capable of competing now. A recent trade saw the Hawks send Trae Young to Atlanta for Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum, and a similar package could be the best the market offers for Morant, still far below his on-court value. Retaining him preserves the continuity of a system built around his explosive style.

If the Grizzlies choose to keep Morant, the next season will test the chemistry between him, Boozer and Lopez. The added front-court depth should alleviate some of Morant’s scoring burden while maintaining the high-energy defensive identity that fuels Memphis’ transition game. In a market where trade offers are scarce, holding onto Morant aligns with both the city’s identity and the team’s competitive outlook for the coming years.