The Memphis Grizzlies just landed four first-round picks from Orlando in the Desmond Bane trade, but they’re not using that draft capital to chase Kevin Durant.
Multiple NBA insiders confirm Memphis has zero interest in pursuing the Phoenix Suns superstar, according to Damichael Cole of The Commercial Appeal.
Durant reportedly has his sights set on the San Antonio Spurs over other suitors like Miami and Houston.
But his preferred destination list might not matter much in the end. Even the Spurs haven’t been aggressive in their pursuit of the 15-time All-Star, taking what insiders describe as a “conservative” approach.
The Bane trade sparked speculation about Memphis potentially moving their other stars. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that teams around the league plan to “investigate” trades for Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., with Morant already being linked to the Miami Heat.
But don’t expect either player to leave Memphis anytime soon.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps reported Monday that the Grizzlies have no interest in dealing either star. Instead, they’re focused on locking up Jackson with a renegotiation and extension.
Morant is already secured after signing a five-year, $197 million extension in 2022. The Grizzlies have until October 21 to add two more years worth about $128 million to his current deal, which would keep him in Memphis through 2030.
Jackson’s situation is a bit more pressing. He’s entering the final year of his four-year, $104.72 million contract in 2025-26, with an average annual salary of $26.18 million.
The defensive standout had a monster season, averaging 22.2 points on nearly 49% shooting along with 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game across 74 starts.
Jackson was truly elite this year. He ranked 20th in total points (1,641), 5th in blocks (113), and was the only player in the entire league to record both 1,500+ points and 100+ blocks.
His defensive impact was huge. When Jackson was on the court, the Grizzlies had a defensive efficiency of 108.3, compared to 113.9 when he sat.
Despite his impressive season, Jackson missed out on All-NBA honors, which has major financial implications. Without that selection, he’s not eligible for a five-year, $345 million supermax extension.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the most Jackson can sign for now is a four-year, $146 million deal. That’s $150 million less than what he could get from Memphis as a free agent in 2026, and $75 million less than what he might command from a team with more cap space.
