Appearing on SportsCenter on Sunday morning (YouTube link), ESPN’s Shams Charania provided more details on what led to Ja Morant receiving a one-game suspension for what the Grizzlies called conduct detrimental to the team.
“There has been tension in the last several days around Ja Morant and his feelings toward head coach Tuomas Iisalo‘s rotation patterns, his plays, but it really culminated after — and during — the loss to the Lakers on Friday night,” Charania said.
“In the post-game locker room, Morant and Iisalo had an exchange where Iisalo called out Morant’s leadership and effort in front of the whole team,” Charania continued. “And as teammates and staffers all looked on, Morant responded in what the team deemed an inappropriate and dismissive way, according to sources.
“And that’s when the Grizzlies, their team officials huddled up. They levied a one-game suspension on Ja Morant he will serve on Sunday in Toronto.”
Charania was then asked how the Grizzlies and Morant planned to proceed after the incident.
“For now, Morant is expected to rejoin the team on Monday at home against the Detroit Pistons,” Charania replied. “The sides are looking to move past this and move on. … Teams across the league though are monitoring this, keeping an eye on where this relationship stands between Ja Morant and the Grizzlies.”
Morant, a two-time All-Star, has gotten off to a slow start in 2025/26, averaging 20.3 points but shooting just 40.6% from the field, including 15.6% from three-point range. The 26-year-old point guard’s assists (6.7), rebounds (3.3) and minutes (28.5) per game are all at career-low levels through six contests.
The Grizzlies are currently 3-3. They have been hit hard by injuries again this fall, with multiple key players sidelined to open the season.
I bet some GMs will be calling to see if they can get him on their team. I would say spurs but how well they are playing right now no need to break up chemistry.
Spurs have guards
Rockets make a lot more sense from a needs perspective. But I don’t think he fits their team mentality/culture
I don’t see why – Sengun avgs more apg and is shooting 53% from three to Ja’s 16%. (The Rockets are loaded, and clearly don’t need Ja).
Ja is not spurs material.
I have no idea why you think the guard-heavy #1 in net rating Spurs would want him.
Considering his minuses and his $40 mil contract, I’ll be surprised if any team will want to trade for him.
Why not Warriors?!
@Michol
Because he’s making almost $40 mil, and can’t shoot. The Warriors need a defensive big, not another PG!
Knicks?
Rockets need a PG. Udoka and Ja are a match made in heaven..
Morant makes a lot of sense to hawks. He is from South Carolina and the hawks clearly don’t want to go forward with Young.
Perfect. Hawks roll the dice on the superior talent to make a run this year, Grizzlies go for stability.
This guy is an issue already. Thug life player. He’s young and still has talent so that’s worth something. But not listening acting bigger than the Org, no way. Draymond Green learned this and some guys change. Maybe he will too. But I don’t think so.
6 games. theyll be ok
@aristotle
The Rockets have the best offense in the league so far, averaging 127.8 ppg while leading the league in 3 pt FG% at (a hopefully unsustainable) 45.1% (!), while even without a classic PG have avgd 26.7 apg.
They’d be insane to trade for a guy who can’t shoot, and get’s hurt a lot from his drive and dunk play style.
@NBAIsOK, I agree with you! I was trying to be funny when I said Udoka would want Morant.
@ EasyMoneySniper
Wait – aristotle posted that.
OOPS – you just outed yourself as a 2 account commenter.
LOL !
@ NBA is OK. Lols sounds about right.
Ja to Pelicans for Jordan Poole, Dejounte, Saddiq Bey, 28 UPR 1RP, 2030 lottery protected 1st for Ja and KCP (salary matching).
Grizzlies build a new core around JJJ,
PG Dejounte (once healthy)/SPJ
SG Poole/Coward
SF Wells/Bey
PF JJJ/Aldama
C Edey/Clarke
Pelicans reunite Ja and Zion together and build a new young core, since there’s no rzn to tank this season aftwr they traded both valuable picks they owned.
PG Ja/Alvarado
SG Herb Jones/KCP
SF Trey Murphy/Hawkins
PF Zion
C Missi/Looney
Grizzlies would jump at that trade, but somehow I doubt that the Pelicans would think it would help them.
Rockets have nothing to trade. What can they do for salary matching, Sengun for Ja? Lol
That’s irrelevant, since Ja would only make them worse, by a lot.
Ja force the grizzlies to get rid of Taylor Jenkins cause he didn’t like his style and now he’s doing it again already.
All his stuff off the court and now complaining like this on it. He’s not going to have a long success NBA career acting the way he does.
Such a bummer. When he came into the league he was must watch basketball. Since then he seems to get worse each season not better. Lame. Hope he gets his head out of his a** because the league would be better off if he does.
The elephant in the room, besides Ja’s immaturity, is the fact that ball dominant PG’s who can’t shoot the 3, don’t have a lot of success in the league today. He’s got Westbrook syndrome – can’t shoot it, but it doesn’t stop him from trying anyway, which is worse than not shooting it at all.
Ja Morant and GG Jackson for Scoot Henderson, Jerami Grant, Duop Reath and 3 first round picks
Portland
Ja Sharpe Deni Camara Clingham
Holiday GG Hansen
Portland gets a star PG and don’t have to try develop Scoot instead it’s about working on Ja’s attitude and you have Jrue and Dame there as vet leaders. Also gives GG a fresh start. You give up a bunch of picks but you have a really good young side so that shouldn’t be of huge concern.
Memphis gets a young less problematic PG in Scoot to develop along side the rest of their young talent. While Jerami forms a solid forward duo with JJJ. Along with KCP this team could be a sneaky contender but if not they add a bunch of draft picks to go with the Bane haul they’ll be looking long term while getting wins.
Memphis
Scoot Coward Jerami JJJ Edey
Jerome KCP Wells Aldama Reath
@Simmons>Russ
That’s one of the worst trade scenarios ever posted.
Portland is looking like a playoff team with Jrue being what they were missing. I’d be very surprised if they’d want to add Ja, who is arguably worse than Scoot at this point, but also adding 3 FRP’s?
LMAO !!
Temetrius Morant should not be allowed to be called Ja until he shoots over 30% from 3 and goes through 2 seasons without off the court drama.
Austin Reaves, Bronny and flotsam & jetsam for Ja. Hell, Jebron for Ja and flotsam.