NBA: Ja Morant expresses desire to remain in Memphis after strong return

After making a strong impact in his return from a six-game absence in Sunday's 126-109 win over the Orlando Magic, Grizzlies guard Ja Morant made it clear he wants to stay with Memphis.

"I've got a (Grizzlies) logo on my back, so that should tell you exactly where I want to be," Morant said after the game. "If anybody in (the locker room) knows me, I'm a very loyal guy."

Morant scored a game-high 24 points in his first game back, making 7 of 13 shots from the field, including 3 of 4 on 3-point attempts. He also tied his season high with 13 assists.

The subject of trade rumors, Morant had been sidelined since Jan. 2 with a right calf contusion and has been limited to 19 of the team's 41 games due to a few injuries.

Morant's contract, a five-year, $197 million deal, expires after the 2027-28 season. He's eligible for a three-year, $178 million extension next summer.

Without signing him to an extension, any team taking on Morant at the February trade deadline would owe him the balance of his existing deal: the remainder of his $39.4 million salary for the current season, $42.2 million next season and $44.9 million for 2027-28.

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 draft, Morant is playing fewer minutes this season, averaging a career-low 28.3 to go with 19 points and 7.6 assists per game.

Morant, 26, has career averages of 22.4 points, 7.4 assists, 4.6 rebounds and one steal per game. — Field Level Media/Reuters