Oh boy, he is at it once more. Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant is in sizzling water, this time for his poor play and subsequent feedback after Memphis’ recreation towards the Los Angeles Lakers.
Morant was broadly criticized for his low-effort play and embarrassingly unhealthy efficiency. He scored simply 8 factors on 14 photographs, serving to price the Grizzlies a winnable residence recreation towards the Lakers.
He adopted that nonsense up by taking a shot at coach Tuomas Lisalo, which led to him being suspended one recreation by the Grizzlies. One thing tells me that Morant goes to react rationally to being suspended. Proper? Perhaps I am being too optimistic.
A number of Grizzlies gamers have mentioned Tuomas Iisalo is among the most direct and frank coaches they’ve ever had.
Me thinks there was a disagreement through the recreation, Ja acquired mad, after which Iisalo known as him out in entrance of the workforce afterwards. Therefore, Ja’s feedback.
— Matt Infield (@Matt_Infield) November 1, 2025
Extra doubtless, it could reinforce the concept that the Grizzlies ought to commerce Morant, who’s trying much less like a franchise participant by the day. It wasn’t that way back that he was the toast of the NBA and searching like a celebrity.
That is not the case anymore, nevertheless. He has been on a gradual downward spiral, going from averaging 27.4 factors per recreation in 2021-22 in addition to making the All-Star and All-NBA groups and successful Most Improved Participant of the Yr to twenty.8 factors per recreation this season.
Ja compelled them to alter a system that led to one of the best workforce offense they’d ever had as a result of it did not go well with HIS very inflexible fashion.
They reverted to a Ja-heavy pnr assault and went 11-17 down the stretch. Fired Jenkins & at the moment are 7-12 below Iisalo.
It is simply not gonna work with him. https://t.co/uqE3x3u2YV
— Carson Breber (@Carsobi) November 1, 2025
Regarding development for Ja Morant: https://t.co/ThKJVu8Mxc pic.twitter.com/3LgJh65W3m
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnor) November 1, 2025
Actually, his scoring has dropped 12 months over 12 months during the last 5 seasons. And with him not the springy 22-year-old participant however as an alternative a controversial 26-year-old, his enchantment is waning quick.
The Memphis Grizzlies should promote (comparatively) excessive on Ja Morant
Buying and selling Morant for equal worth most likely will not occur. Look, everybody is aware of how proficient he’s, but when he’s taking part in like trash, then his commerce worth will even be within the dumps.
The very best-case situation is that the Grizzlies make him obtainable to groups such because the Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, and New Orleans Pelicans, they usually make a run at him.
Every workforce has an honest variety of belongings and will have the ability to put collectively an inexpensive to good commerce package deal which may enchantment to the Grizzlies. That will give them an off-ramp, permitting them to start out their retooling round Jaren Jackson Jr.
That may take years, nevertheless it appears clear that the Grizzlies haven’t got sufficient this 12 months to contend. They are not beating the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Denver Nuggets, or Minnesota Timberwolves within the playoffs.
Heck, they most likely would not even beat the upstart San Antonio Spurs. Because of this, they need to take the chance to maneuver Morant and attempt to construct one thing higher within the close to future with out him.
All informed, the Grizzlies had been proper to droop Morant after his outrageously poor play and poor conduct. With him seemingly checked out on the Grizzlies, they need to attempt to promote comparatively excessive on Morant by seeking to commerce him now earlier than issues go from unhealthy to worse.
