Ja Morant addressed trade rumors at a press conference in Berlin ahead of Thursday’s game against Orlando, but his responses were brief and guarded, writes Joe Vardon of The Athletic. Speculation that Morant might be moved before the February 5 deadline has been rampant since ESPN’s Shams Charania reported last Friday that Memphis is listening to offers.
Asked during his six-minute meeting with reporters how the rumors are affecting him, Morant said, “Live with it.”
Morant’s other statements were similarly short, Vardon adds. In response to a question about whether he expects to still be with the Grizzlies after the deadline passes, Morant responded, “I’m the only one you asked that question to?” Queried about the response of Memphis fans to a potential deal, he stated, “I think y’all should be more worried about my reaction and not other people. Like, my reaction is more important.”
The only real insight Morant offered was regarding his relationship with head coach Tuomas Iisalo, which was strained early in the season, resulting in a one-game suspension after a locker room confrontation. Morant indicated that things have improved, saying, “He cool. I don’t think we’ve had too many ups and downs. That’s just y’all on the outside looking in thinking that.”
The Grizzlies announced that Morant will miss Thursday’s game, which will be his sixth straight absence, due to a right calf contusion. It’s the third time he has been listed as “out” instead of “questionable” in the pregame injury report since Charania’s report surfaced. League sources told Vardon that Morant informed at least two teammates, along with other NBA players, that he doesn’t play to play for Memphis again.
However, Vardon points out that Morant is still classified as a “star” by the NBA, and the overseas contests, which are being televised by Prime Video, are considered “national TV” games. League rules require “star” players to participate in those games unless they can show proof of a legitimate injury, so Morant’s status for Sunday will be worth watching.
Morant plans to meet with members of his business team while in Europe to consider his future, according to Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports, who hears that the Heat have become an “attractive option” to his camp over the past few days.
Miami’s reputation for attention to detail and structure is appealing to Morant, Iko adds, and he has “a deep respect” for head coach Erik Spoelstra. The Heat coach also runs Team USA, and Morant hopes to represent his country at the 2028 Summer Olympics. Iko states that Morant views Miami’s veteran presence as another positive.
Morant has two years and $87MM left on his current contract after this season, and sources tell Iko that he’s hoping to receive a max extension by next summer. That’s unlikely to happen with the current situation in Memphis, but rebuilding his reputation in Miami could be the best path toward a huge payday.
Careful what you wish for, Ja. Rileyland can be a rough place if you can’t conform.
It’s what he needs. If he doesn’t grow up and conform at his next stop, he will never get top contract again and pretty much his NBA star career will be over. Nike will drop him so that he would probably be the best thing for him. Hopefully he gets some adults around him but I doubt that won’t even work because if you look at it. Dylan Brooks may get technical flagrent fouls but he has never been a distraction. Plays hard and doesn’t get in trouble off the court. Nor does Jackson or any of the other players. It’s not really the team. It’s him and I just don’t see him growing up. He hasn’t shown anything yet. He needs to send his father away and I don’t mean they can’t have a relationship but he needs separation from his dad that he can go to a city and grow up and become a man. Now I have a whole bunch of Yes men around you.
Dillon Brooks bucko – and yes he’s been a distraction lol. For someone who hate watches the Lakers as much as you clearly do, I know for a fact you remember.
He quite literally got booted from Memphis for being a distraction.
Not sure what was in your coffee this morning but I’d go to a new spot. Not your best day.
He just doesn’t like Ja. Has already given up on him. He’s not the inly one though.
Don’t worry, my comment didn’t have any numbers or stats so he’s forbidden from speaking on the matter.
Just for those comments, the Grizz should ship him over yo Brooklyn or Sacramento 🤣
Brooklyn is at too crucial a moment in their rebuild to bring on a wild card like Ja, but I get what you mean lol Sacto it is!!
Ja has already told those close to him that he is never playing for Memphis again.
Trade idea from Sillivan
Grizzlies get — $61 million
Herro – 25 years old
Jaquez Jr. 24 years old
Terry Rozier – dead money
Nothing (critical piece for this deal)
Heat get — $61 million
Morant
KCP
Formula
Herro + Jaquez + Rozier + nothing = Morant + KCP
Silli math is more convoluted than Steiner math and I’m all for it.
You see Chucktoad, Silli’s numbers don’t lie and they spell disaster for the Heat at sacrifice.
In third person nonetheless.
Very funny to imagine he has an intern to write and post these trade proposals while he scours the trade machine for his next prophetic moment.
Thank you for outlining the formula
I love that Nothing is a “critical ” piece to the deal
AI has a ways to go
Hard to imagine the Heat bringing in Ja. How does a team that’s supposedly all about culture and work ethic bring in a guy with a track record like his? Udonis would have to grab him by the throat and choke him out for being an ass and making the organization look bad within months, if not sooner. I know U wouldn’t do that….but I’ll bet he’ll want to.
did Miami forget what happened with Jimmy Buckets? How long do they think Morant will behave?
2 NBA finals with buckets… so it was very good in my opinion, right?
But how…
Heat dont need guards
Who doesn’t want to goto South Beach. What could go wrong.
Just a dunce cap of a person
I guess Norman Powell, Terry Rozier, and a 2nd round pick or 2 for Ja/possibly+or-GG Jackson? That would be one of the only ideas i could see making any sense for the Heat, but then you are paying your volatile guards an exorbitantly significant amount of the cap, with a need at the 3 and D wing spot or help at the 4/3 defensively
That would potentially open a lot of money for Memphis, but I dont know if that works for them that much either, as that is slightly light on assets to move on from their “star”, but again, hopefully the Heat wouldnt really do more than that, and they’d at least be able to finally fill their open roster space
PLEASE Miami don’t trade for him. He’s a nuisance, overrated, and he’s not what the Heat need to out them over the top.
According to public records, Ja bought a pad in Miami few weeks back. Planning on spending some time @ south Beach regardless of where he’s playing.
The Heat ia a good team for him. And Spoelstra is a good coach to set his m straight. The city could lead him astray. Shame they might sell low on Morant. But that’s good for the Heat. I would want Jakucionis ….
The Heat may be desperate for a star, but they don’t want any part of Ja. I would be stunned, STUNNED, if they made that move. Talk about being the antithesis of their winning culture.
“League sources told Vardon that Morant informed at least two teammates, along with other NBA players, that he doesn’t play to play for Memphis again.
However, Vardon points out that Morant is still classified as a “star” by the NBA, and the overseas contests, which are being televised by Prime Video, are considered ‘national TV’ games. League rules require “star” players to participate in those games unless they can show proof of a legitimate injury, so Morant’s status for Sunday will be worth watching.”
So would the league penalize the Grizzlies if Ja refuses to participate in a nationally televised game? I don’t see how that’s Memphis’ fault…
Short answer – yes the league will fine the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies will then fine and suspend Ja without pay. The fine will be the maximum allowed by the PA (not sure the figure) so hopefully the league understands what’s happening and fines the Grizzles accordingly.
Riley-land is a demanding place for a baller né cager, but the sleezy afterhours vibe in Miami is superb for a guy like Ja.