Toumas Iisalo is in the early stages of his first full season as the Grizzlies head coach, but his star player is already expressing frustration with him.
After Ja Morant struggled mightily during the team’s loss to the Lakers on Friday, Morant repeatedly told the media, “Go ask the coaching staff,” and “Go ask him” when quizzed on his performance.
Asked if he had any other observations regarding the game, Morant offered the following reply, per Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal (Twitter link).
“According to them, probably don’t play me, honestly. That’s basically what the message was after.”
Morant scored eight points on 3-of-14 shooting with seven assists while playing just under 31 minutes on Friday. Although he has appeared in all six of Memphis’ games this season, he has not played more than 31:33 in any game yet this season, Josh Robbins of The Athletic notes. He was also torched by Luka Doncic on the defensive end as the Lakers star poured in 44 points.
Morant wrapped up his post-game comments by denying there was anything wrong with him physically. The media didn’t get a chance to talk to the coach regarding Morant’s comments.
Former All-Star Blake Griffin, now a commentator on Amazon Prime Video, criticized Morant after the game.
“For a guy that’s making $40 million and needs to be the leader of the team, I just don’t love it. I don’t know if he was not feeling well, if he’s hurt. But that, to me, is a very bad sign and is something that … has to change,” Griffin said, per Robbins.
Morant is shooting 40.6% overall and just 15.6% on 3s. He’s in the third year of a five-year, $197.2MM contract, while Memphis is off to a 3-3 start this season.
Morant, of course, is no stranger to controversy. He was suspended twice by the league in 2023 for conduct detrimental to the league after social media posts in which he was seen brandishing a firearm.
Morant’s comments on Friday suggest some sort of disconnect with the current staff. Whether that could lead to a trade request or the front office making him available in trade talks remains to be seen.
Ja is clearly sending a message to his coach that Cedric Coward needs to replace KCP in the starting lineup
The way he’s been playing, it’s Ja who deserves to get dropped for Coward.
Spot on! Ja is suck an entitled head case.
Trade Ja and Edey to rockets for Sengun, sheppard and Eason
All young players
The Rockets are better off without him, and would never make that Silli trade
Pretty sure the coaches feel the same way about him. They probably go, ” Are you still here?” every day.
Trade him to Dallas, they love players with huge red flags.
The Cowboys would love him.
Ja Wick still acting like a child I see.
Oh sh*t!
Trade soon?
Gunna be so funny when Ja ends up on the Kings, Suns, Nets or Wizards.
Would be brutal if he goes to a good team and burns down their promising start by being a nightmare to work with.
That said, Ja on the Pacers right now might save their year, if he flips the switch.
Spotrac approves the Ja Morant for Andrew Nembard, Aaron Nesmith and TJ McConnell trade. Money-wise, that trade is approved. Probably have to add other parts, but its an interesting option. Siakam, Hali and Ja might be a nasty big 3 next year. Something to think about.
The Pacers are all about effort and their guards pick up the ball in the backcourt every possession on defense. Not a good fit for a player coasting on a max contract.
“The Pacers are all about effort and their guards pick up the ball in the backcourt every possession on defense. Not a good fit for a player coasting on a max contract.”
“Ja on the Pacers right now might save their year, if he flips the switch.”
You ignored the second part of what I said. You immediately decided the change of scenery would do nothing. That is incorrect to assume. Ja likely would want to show up the Grizzlies FO by balling out. I get you hate Ja personally, but that is clouding your perspective here.
You don’t need to hate him personally to see that he’s a cancer. Putting him on a team like the pacers is an awful decision.
Lol, the Pacers would never make that trade. Those 3 were core contributors to the finals run last season, and Ja is a way worse PG than Hali (and there’s no chance they’d be able to play them together and be better).
Ja at SG, Hali at PG, obviously
Hali led the Pacers to the Finals. He is not “bad” at PG in any way, shape or form. You are wrong. Stop saying this.
You seem to be confused. Hali is a generational PG, I’ve never said he is bad.
But Ja would be a terrible SG, because he can’t shoot.
I’m not sure Ja’s got the mindset needed to develop a shot at this stage either.
The only reason he’s shot 47% overall is from his drive and dunk game. I doubt anyone would try to trade for him at this point, no matter how unhappy he shows himself to be.
I’m sure Ja can do anything he wants on a basketball court. He is Ja Morant. He is incredibly good at basketball. This is pure speculation based on bias from you here, Tuna.
If he can do anything he wants on a basketball court why hasn’t he developed a shot?
Update – The Grizz have suspended him for 1 game for “conduct detrimental to the team”
link to bsky.app
I don’t think the Pacers would do that trade simply because they’ve got a whole bunch of players they believe in that fit their entire philosophy as a franchise.
Ja Morant would be about as bad a fit on the Pacers as Carmelo Anthony would have been on a Popovich team.
There’s nothing to think about. Morant isn’t even better than Pascal Siakam. He peaked early. His skill & IQ isn’t outpacing his athletic decline, and he seems pretty low character / bad in the locker room. He’ll be out of the NBA in his early 30s ala Stephon Marbury and Steve Francis.
Who is saying Ja is better than Siakam? They would be on the same team together, that is better than this.
To me its very clear, yall just hate Ja personally and are attacking his overall game, which is usually elite. There’s too many snide pot shots being taken at him, that proves my point. I am the only one viewing this with clear eyes and yall are sobbing over me saying “Ja needs a change of scenery and if he joined Indiana this season, they might rally into a playoff team.” which is true.
I dont care about PR statements about “culture” and “fit” or “philosophy” either, those are meaningless. Right now that “philosophy” has them 0-5. To be able to get Ja for those 3 is a move any FO professional takes, which none of you are. Period.
He would also be on the same team as Tyrese Haliburton (you may have heard of him).
There is no point to “salvaging” a team with nothing to play for besides a top 5 pick. That in itself would be more additive than Morant, even if he weren’t a toxic malcontent on a max deal.
I don’t think Ja was ever “elite”, but he certainly hasn’t been close in years. He’s below average from 3 and getting older. That contract is underwater.
So you think his 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons weren’t elite? Analysis discarded.
Based on your posts, you are allergic to analysis. I’d argue it’s hard to consider any guard that can’t shoot, elite.
It’s too bad this place doesn’t have a downvote option.
Why would the Pacers FO ever trade those 3 players for Ja and his baggage?
It’s bad enough there’s an upvote option. That stuff stinks and can be brigaded by bad faith users or just botted into oblivion.
Why do you like it? Genuinely curious? What does it prove? Nothing. You can open 5 different accounts and upvote everything you post. Terrible idea. You are weird.
NBA front offices do not think like you, you think more like an NBA 2K owner, which is fine, but its not reality. Adding a dynamic star like Ja is always an option to a contender. Pacers would be better with him whether you agree or not.
“Malcontent” only applies to 1 team btw. Once a player leaves a team, they often become completely different types of players both on and off the court.
Ah yes I’m sure Morant will abandon firearms and pick up Dungeons & Dragons when he’s traded to the Kings or Pelicans
You sound racist. Ja Morant is a millionaire athlete.
Here’s the clip – judge for yourselves
link to streamable.com
Surprising he didn’t have a gun with him at the press conference
LMFAO
Referring to Morant as a “star” is .. uh .. er .. well. He needs to develop a Bad News Barnes delivery and start speaking of himself in the third person. That would at least add some flare to his childishness and perhaps endear him to the rebel in us all. In the meantime he is just screechy, and Halloween is over.
Didn’t know that the coaching has made Ja shoot 15% from 3 this season!
My guess is he doesn’t like being in an offense that doesn’t run many pick and rolls.
Without his buddy Bain, new coach/system, small market, losing games, legal issues, law suites.. he needs a reset, but isn’t disciplened to make the right choices.
Not doing gun related Things anymore does not Keep him from being a childish malcontent.
Memphis should Look for desperate teams to get any value via trade out of Ja.
Can I interest you in a Jalen Green for Ja Morant swap?
I’d say trade him, but who would be interested? His best season was 2021-22 and he’s declined each season since. Several expensive years left on his contract, off-the-court issues, immature, can’t shoot, plays bad defense, undersized, and now add disgruntled.
Agreed. He’s not helping his cause in any way. If I’m the Grizz I’m looking to make a draft day trade. Nets could be interesting considering the picks they have next draft, but they could be shy about someone like him after dealing with their own hydra version of him with Durant/Irving/Harden.
He is an amazing talent. Probably best in the league at getting to the rim in traffic. But MY GOD does this guy need some help in the form of maturity and responsibility. Dude should look in the mirror from time to time.
Ja is a PG ….. needs to grow up, I agree. Still a heck of a talent. This team is young. Give them some time. I like their players. Losing suxx man. Brings out the worst in us.