Ja Morant caused a stir with his performance against the Los Angeles Lakers and his comments afterwards. The Memphis Grizzlies are suspending their star for one game, but want to continue with him. For how long, though?
Superstars in the NBA traditionally have a longer leash. The best league in the world is a show business that thrives on its stars. If you want to win a title, you usually need a top-5 player or, as in Boston’s case in 2024, an ensemble of several top players.
Accordingly, people are often willing to turn a blind eye. LeBron James can indirectly exert pressure through the media or express his displeasure with a coach because he is simply more valuable. Not only on the court, but also with his media presence, which can boost ticket sales or jersey sales. All of these are factors for a franchise, because many owners see not only sporting success, but also profit.
Such superstars are rare, and when you get one, you don’t want to let them go – unless your name is Nico Harrison and you’re not the best friend of Luka Doncic. Well, exceptions prove the rule. In Memphis, they believed they had found such a player in Ja Morant.
Morant: Superstar gone astray
Since the 2019 draft, things had been steadily improving. After three years, Memphis was among the extended circle of favorites, and Morant, at 22, had already been selected for the All-NBA Second Team. Morant wasn’t perfect; his shooting was always a question mark, but he was one of, if not THE most spectacular player in the NBA. A walking highlight machine who made national headlines, even though Memphis is one of the smallest markets in the league.
Morant was the city’s shining light, with all doors open to him, but in his seventh season, doubts are growing about how long the playmaker will remain in the franchise’s plans. The 26-year-old has missed a third of all possible games in his career due to injuries or suspensions, and his image is already more than tarnished after various gun incidents (and other minor skirmishes).
And then there’s the athletic component. In 2021/22, Morant still scored 27.4 points per game, but this season he is currently only averaging 20.8. Of course, the sample size is still small, but Morant is also scoring fewer points in the paint, drawing fewer free throws, shooting worse at the basket, and still doesn’t have a reliable three-point shot. In short: for all the spectacle, Morant is one thing above all else—inefficient.
Morant: Trouble with the coach again
This is all the more concerning given that there were rumors last year that Memphis fired long-time coach Taylor Jenkins (and assistant coach Noah LaRoche) because Morant was unhappy with the offense. LaRoche ensured that Memphis hardly ran any pick-and-rolls and instead installed a system in which every player was supposed to cause confusion by constantly moving so that the drive to the basket was sought again and again.
It was an offense for everyone, not for one specific star. Memphis finished the season ranked sixth in offense despite a weak second half and a coaching change. LaRoche now works for the Miami Heat, who scored over 140 points twice in the first few days with limited potential.
And now the clash with Tuomas Iisalo, whose system is tailored to a ball-dominant guard (see T.J. Shorts in Bonn and Paris). Morant has the ball in his hands more often again, but there was trouble because, according to media reports, the Finn didn’t like his star’s attitude and addressed it. Morant’s reaction ultimately led to Memphis suspending its guard for one game.
Morant: Are the Grizzlies considering a trade?
According to ESPN, the team wants to patch things up, but the first teams are already lurking for a possible trade. Morant still has a contract in Memphis until 2028, and in theory, there could have already been talks about an extension. However, there haven’t been any yet, which is also a sign that the Grizzlies are no longer 100 percent convinced about Morant. Does his athletic value still outweigh all the trouble? Morant is a small guard who thrives on his athleticism, but has already suffered several injuries. Since the Morant era began, the Grizzlies have won only one playoff series and lost four. It feels like the point guard is currently on the wrong side. Sure, there’s a chance that the two-time All-Star can return to the level he was at three or four years ago, but how likely is that? Will Iisalo and Morant really see eye to eye again? Can Morant win a second power struggle?
On the other hand, who could and would want to trade for Morant, who is on a maximum contract? And how much would they get in return? Especially at the point guard position, there aren’t that many teams that still need a star or can afford one.
Morant in Memphis: When is enough enough?
However, if someone were to come along (here are a few options: Sacramento, Milwaukee, Phoenix), Memphis could certainly consider it. With Jaren Jackson Jr., they already have an All-Star, and the Grizzlies have shown how they can bring interesting role players into the team year after year with low draft picks.
At the end of the day, the franchise also has to know how much it is willing and able to let its star player get away with. Morant hasn’t just gotten one or two fresh starts in Memphis, it’s more like the fourth – and at some point, Tennessee’s patience is likely to run out.
