Here's Why The Grizzlies Are THROUGH IT With Ja Morant

Joel Piton
6 days ago
4 min read

Just four years ago, Ja Morant electrified the league for 27 points per night, earning NBA Most Improved Player honors, and cementing himself as the face of the Memphis Grizzlies franchise. He wasn’t just a rising star; he was marketed as the future. Fast-forward to 2026, and that future hasn't panned out much at all. Off-court gun incidents leading to suspensions, fractured locker-room chemistry, injuries, and stretches of subpar play have shifted the conversation entirely. Memphis now appears more willing to pivot toward Jaren Jackson Jr. as its leader—even if that means cutting ties with Morant altogether. But does that really add up? Are the Grizzlies truly prepared to walk away from a player once dubbed as having “limitless potential”? Fans are now questioning whether Morant will ever make another All-Star team, let alone reclaim his trajectory. So what exactly went wrong with Ja Morant? Let’s break it down.

Following a first-round sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA fans were quick to claim Ja Morant had been “exposed” by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a truly competitive backcourt. This marked the first time rumors began circulating about Morant potentially heading elsewhere. Compounding the issue, the departures of Desmond Bane last year and Dillon Brooks two years prior stripped Memphis of much of the edge and identity that once made them dangerous. Since their 2022 breakthrough, the Memphis Grizzlies haven’t been able to replicate that success. While the current roster isn’t devoid of talent, it’s clearly a step down from previous iterations—and with a 17–23 record, Memphis is currently outside both the playoff and play-in picture altogether.

Ja hasn’t looked like himself at any point this season. Morant has appeared in just 18 of the Memphis Grizzlies’ 40 games, and the numbers are poor: Memphis is 6–12 with him on the floor compared to an 11–11 mark without him. That suggests one of two uncomfortable truths—or both: the Grizzlies are statistically worse when he plays, or they’ve grown accustomed to operating without him. Either way, it’s sad. Morant is posting career lows across the board, shooting just 40% from the field and an abysmal 20% from three, while averaging 19 points and seven assists per game. His playmaking has arguably been the most valuable thing he’s provided this season, which says a lot for a player once feared for his motor. Injuries have undoubtedly played a role in his inconsistency, but the larger issue feels mental. There’s a noticeable lack of urgency—almost as if Morant no longer expects wins in Memphis—and he’s often playing at half-speed. It’s a far cry from the Ja Morant who flew downhill at 100% with nothing held back.

The breaking point came last November when Ja Morant publicly reprimanded the Memphis Grizzlies coaching staff during a postgame press conference—which led to a suspension. Around the league, that moment felt like the final straw. Since then, Memphis appears intent on severing ties and giving both Morant and the franchise a clean slate. It’s entirely possible we’ve already seen Ja’s last game in a Grizzlies uniform. The problem? His trade value is at an all-time low. Compare him to someone like Trae Young, who was traded to the Washington Wizards—a team-first guard who consistently elevates teammates and rarely airs frustrations publicly. That same essence hasn’t been evident in Morant’s game or demeanor. Fans, analysts, and the NBA at large expected Morant to respond to his past legal issues by tightening up professionally and setting a better example. Instead, those concerns have lingered. No one is asking him to be a perfect role model—but when effort, body language, and commitment come into question, it’s fair to ask if he even still loves basketball the way he once did?

This kind of unraveling is hard to watch for a player who once carried legitimate Hall-of-Fame potential. The once fan-favorite had high hopes for Memphis basketball, but as Tim McMahon bluntly put it, his career “cannot continue in Memphis” under any circumstances. Morant has reportedly privately told multiple teammates he no longer wants to play for the Memphis Grizzlies. To be fair, Memphis’s struggles aren’t solely on him—injuries and inconsistency from players like Zach Edey and Ty Jerome haven’t helped—but Morant has provided little stability or lift when the team has needed it most. At 26 years of age, this is supposed to be the heart of his prime. Instead, teams see declining production, shaky availability, and unanswered questions about commitment. With his trade value suppressed and the risk profile unusually high, any NBA general manager would be justified in hesitating. Ja’s image and reputation have taken a hit, but a true fresh start elsewhere may be his last, best chance to reset the narrative and salvage a career that once seemed destined for greatness.