ESPN reveals Grizzlies' plans for trading Ja Morant

The Memphis Grizzlies traded away Desmond Bane, and then Jaren Jackson Jr.

Ja Morant is the last piece of that core left standing.

Pretty soon, Morant might be on his way out, too.

ESPN's Michael C. Wright wrote this line on Morant in a new article after Sunday's NBA Draft lottery:

"Expect that future to be elsewhere."

He went on to explain why it doesn't seem like Morant will remain in Memphis.

"Memphis has already shifted its focus to a new young core that features shooting guard Cedric Coward, forward Jaylen Wells and center Zach Edey and its potential playing in coach Tuomas Isalo's unconventional system," Wright wrote. "At this point, it appears the Grizzlies are just seeking the best deal in a Morant trade, which likely won't be there until after the draft and free agency, when teams in pursuit of stars consider secondary options."

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Morant's off-court issues, injury troubles and clashes with the coaching staff have all put him in a spot where his future just doesn't logically seem to be with the Grizzlies anymore.

There will be plenty of questions for a potential trade partner to answer, but in the end, someone will take a chance on Morant's talent and hope the rest of it can be worked out.

The former No. 2 overall pick rose to stardom quickly for the Grizzlies before hitting some bumpy patches. It's hard to know for sure just how much of his best self Morant can get back, but it's unlikely Memphis is the team that sticks around to find out.

They've done everything else they can to try and jumpstart a new era. They just got the No. 3 pick in the lottery. And when they move Morant, they'll be fully into a fresh start with a lot of potential.

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