This summer, Nicolas Claxton, a versatile big man for the Brooklyn Nets, will become a free agent and become one of the most sought-after players available. Ja Morant, a star player for the Memphis Grizzlies, recently liked a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) regarding Traxton Claxton’s free agency, which sparked rumors that the Grizzlies might try to sign him.

Claxton is from South Carolina, just like Morant, and the two were teammates in AAU basketball. Though it may have nothing to do with the Grizzlies potentially pursuing Claxton, Morant’s liking of a post endorsing the Nets center could be explained by this connection alone. Regardless, the Grizzlies fan base has officially begun to speculate:


With his skill set complementing many of the things the Grizzlies do, Claxton would be a perfect fit. Claxton, a dangerous lob threat who complements Morant well, is also a versatile defender who could improve the Grizzlies’ performance in that area. The new CBA has made NBA free agency extremely difficult, but the Grizzlies have done well to set themselves up for this summer.

“The deal unloads $12.4 million in guaranteed salary off the Grizzlies’ payroll for 2024–25, dropping them about $17 million below the punitive $190 million level of the salary cap referred to as the second apron,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski wrote after the Grizzlies dealt Steven Adams to the Houston Rockets. Oladipo’s contract is about to expire, so he has no set date to return to action.”

Maybe this financial liberation by the Grizzlies was a prelude to a potential run at a player such as Claxton.