In 2022, Ja Morant signed a five-year, $197 million contract extension with the Memphis Grizzlies. It looked like brilliant business at the time; Morant had just made an All-Star team, won the Most Improved Player award and led the Grizzlies to a franchise record-tying 56-win season.
Three-and-a-half years later, Morant has one of the NBA's worst contracts, according to Stephen Noh's DARKO salary model.
Since the 2021-22 season, Memphis has failed to win 50 games in a season and has not won a playoff round. The Grizzlies have seriously contemplated trading Morant as their growth has stalled, but one stumbling block to a trade is the two-time All-Star's contract.
Morant has three years and $126.6 million left on his deal. According to Noh's model, the actual value of his current contract is $61.9 million -- a difference of $64.7 million relative to Morant's performance.
"Morant still does have moments where he looks like his old All-NBA self. He had 40 points earlier this year," Noh writes for AllSportsPeople. "But his athleticism isn't what it once was, and his touch from all over the floor has faded. He's hitting just 24 percent of his 3's this season, by far a career low, and his defense has always been bad."
Morant's value has further been compromised by his inability to stay on the court. He last played more than seven consecutive games in 2023, and he has played in just 20 of Memphis' 44 games this season.
Ahead of the NBA's Feb. 5 trade deadline, those two factors have inhibited any strong market forming for Morant, who has been steadfast in his desire to stay in Memphis.
More NBA news:
Lakers trade idea ships LeBron and Bronny James to Cleveland for $238 million star
Mavericks must contend with $89 million Anthony Davis dilemma