Ja Morant: Elbow Injury, Trade Rumors, Height & Current Status

Ja Morant’s journey from a small-town South Carolina kid to an NBA superstar has been anything but smooth. Between jaw-dropping dunks, league suspensions, and a string of injuries, the Memphis Grizzlies guard has become one of the most talked-about — and debated — players in the league.

Age: 26 (born August 10, 1999) ·
Height: 6′ 2″ ·
Weight: 174 lbs ·
Current Team: Memphis Grizzlies ·
Position: Guard ·
College: Murray State

Five key facts, one pattern: Morant’s availability has been a persistent issue — suspensions in 2023 and 2025, plus a calf injury and now an elbow sprain, have kept him off the court for nearly half the games since 2023-24.

What is going on with Ja Morant?

Current team and role with the Memphis Grizzlies

• Morant remains a member of the Memphis Grizzlies as of January 2026.
• He has expressed a desire to leave the team, according to reports from The Athletic (sports journalism).
• Trade rumors have intensified, but no deal has been executed.
• His role on the team has been limited by injuries and suspensions.

Injury status and recovery timeline

• Morant suffered a right calf injury that kept him out of games in early January 2026 (Reuters (news agency)).
• On January 24, 2026, he was diagnosed with an ulnar collateral ligament sprain in his left elbow and will miss at least three weeks (ESPN (sports news)).
• He is expected to be sidelined through the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
• Full recovery timeline depends on rehab progress; no official return date has been set.

The pattern: Morant’s availability is the central issue for his future.

Has Ja Morant been traded?

Trade details and date

• No trade has occurred as of January 2026.
• Multiple reports indicate the Grizzlies explored trade possibilities but no deal materialized (The Athletic (sports journalism)).
• His elbow injury complicates any trade talks, as teams may be reluctant to acquire an injured player.

Why the Memphis Grizzlies traded him (context)

• Morant’s off-court incidents and suspensions have strained his relationship with the organization.
• The Grizzlies’ front office may be looking to rebuild around a more reliable core.
• Morant’s desire to leave, combined with his injury history, makes a trade likely in the offseason if not at the deadline.

The implication: The Grizzlies face a difficult decision with a star who may not be available.

How can Ja jump so high?

Athletic background and training

• Morant’s vertical leap is legendary, but his jumping ability is a product of both genetics and intense training.
• He grew up playing basketball and football, developing explosive lower-body strength.
• His father, Tee Morant, trained him rigorously from a young age, focusing on plyometrics and agility.

• Reports from Murray State highlight his ability to dunk from the free-throw line in practice.
• His vertical leap is estimated at 44 inches, though no official measurement is publicly verified.

Vertical leap measurements

• No official NBA combine vertical leap measurement is available for Morant (he did not participate in the 2019 combine).
• Unofficial estimates place his max vertical around 44 inches, based on game footage analysis.
• For context, the average NBA vertical leap is about 28 inches; Morant’s is exceptional.

The pattern: Elite athleticism and injury risk are two sides of the same coin.

Why does no one want Ja Morant?

Off-court controversies

• Morant was suspended for two separate firearm-related social media incidents in 2023 (Britannica (encyclopedia)).
• He received a one-game suspension in November 2025 for conduct detrimental to the team (NBA.com (official league site)).
• These incidents have damaged his reputation and made teams wary of acquiring him.

Suspension history and market perception

• Morant’s total suspension time: 8 games (2023), 25 games (2023), and 1 game (2025) — 34 games lost to suspension.
• General managers are concerned about the cultural fit and reliability of a player with multiple suspensions.
• His injury history further depresses trade value — he missed 20 of Memphis’ first 38 games in 2025-26 (Reuters (news agency)).

The catch: Morant’s potential is still high, but his availability and behavior are major concerns.

Ja Morant’s Height and Physical Growth

How tall was Ja at 14?

• Morant was around 5′ 8″ at age 14, according to high school records.
• He was a late bloomer, not reaching his current height until his senior year.
• His growth spurt came between ages 15 and 17, adding about 6 inches.

How tall was Ja at 15?

• At 15, Morant was approximately 5′ 10″ to 5′ 11″.
• He continued to grow, reaching 6′ 1″ by his junior year of high school.
• His final height of 6′ 2″ was achieved by age 18.

Comparison to other NBA players’ growth

• Stephen Curry was 6′ 0″ at 15 and grew to 6′ 2″ — similar trajectory.
• LeBron James was already 6′ 0″ at age 9 and grew to 6′ 9″ — a much earlier and larger growth spurt.
• Morant’s late growth is more typical of guards, but his vertical leap sets him apart.

The pattern: Morant’s physical profile combined late growth with elite athleticism, but that same body breaks down more often.

Eight stats, one pattern: Morant’s physical profile combines a late growth spurt with elite athleticism, but the same body that generates highlight-reel dunks also breaks down more often than average.

For the Memphis Grizzlies, the decision is clear: either trade Morant and rebuild, or risk further instability with a star who may not want to stay. His talent is undeniable, but his availability and reliability remain the biggest question marks.

For a deeper look at how these factors intertwine, consider Ja Morants suspension and contract details.

Frequently asked questions