The Memphis Grizzlies might be considering trading Ja Morant, and if that’s the case, his team should prioritize finding him a spot with strong veteran leadership.
A few years back, Morant was one of the league’s shining stars. Every time he soared into the air, it felt almost magical—like he was on a trampoline.
But lately, his reputation has taken a hit, largely due to behavioral issues and injuries. Back in March 2022, he received an eight-game suspension after an Instagram Live incident where he brandished a gun in a Colorado strip club. Just a couple of months later, he faced an additional 25-game suspension after another gun-related incident streamed on Instagram Live.
Unfortunately, these incidents are just a glimpse into a longer list of troubling behavior. There was also an accusation in 2022 where he reportedly threatened a security guard at a mall in Memphis, and earlier this year, he was involved in a physical altercation with a 17-year-old during a pickup game at his home, as reported by the Washington Post.
Morant’s maturity issues flared up again this season when he got suspended for one game after questioning team leadership during a confrontation with Grizzlies coach Tuomas Isalo following a game against the Lakers. Morant’s response to the situation was, seemingly, less than ideal.
After serving his suspension, he didn’t make things easier. When asked if he was still enjoying basketball, he bluntly said “No,” showing little sign of wanting to change.
This all led to frustration for the Grizzlies, especially since Morant had only played 18 games this season due to a calf strain and 50 games last season due to a shoulder and hip injury. Unsurprisingly, his stats have plummeted; he’s averaging just 19 points per game, the lowest since his rookie year, and hitting his lowest shooting percentages ever—40.1% from the field and 20.8% from three-point range.
Consequently, the Grizzlies are seemingly ready to move on from Morant for the first time in his seven seasons.
He needs guidance and support, especially from reliable voices around him.
It’s hard not to speculate that perhaps his behavior might have been different if he had been surrounded by veteran players. Think about those like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, or Kevin Durant. How might Morant’s trajectory have changed if he’d had the opportunity to learn from them? A program pairing promising young players with established stars could be beneficial.
LeBron entered the league at 18 with massive expectations and managed to keep himself out of controversy for over two decades. Curry’s reputation for stability and his focus on family and faith is admirable. Even Durant, despite the occasional social media criticism, has largely maintained a clean image.
While Morant may not play alongside them, he definitely needs someone he can respect and will hold him accountable—someone who maintains high standards.
To try and help him, the Grizzlies signed Derrick Rose in 2023, hoping he’d be a mentor. However, he was let go in September 2024. They also traded away Marcus Smart, only to have him end up with the Wizards later on.
The oldest player on the Grizzlies now is 32-year-old Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who brings some championship experience, but he’s not been enough of a stabilizing force for Morant.
Morant needs a seasoned star to help steer him right, both on and off the court. Injuries may be out of his control, but his attitude and effort are not.
He has the ability to shape his work ethic in the offseason, deciding how involved he wants to be.
Remember, he had an incredibly successful 2021-22 season, averaging 27.4 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.7 rebounds—earning MVP recognition and landing on the All-NBA Second Team, which seemed to set him up for stardom.
Since then, though, his irresponsible behavior has cost him dearly—not just in reputation but also financially. He lost out on the 2023 All-NBA team due to suspensions, which also set him back $40 million. Instead of potentially a five-year, $237 million extension, he was looking at one valued at $197 million because of the Rose Rule.
Morant is still quite young, with immense potential ahead of him. But for him to truly flourish, the Grizzlies must work diligently to surround him with capable mentors. Even if he doesn’t always heed their advice, it could be his best shot at turning things around.
