Latest news with #JaMorant
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grizzlies Legend Sends Message to Ja Morant After Personal Issues
Grizzlies Legend Sends Message to Ja Morant After Personal Issues originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Back in 2023, the NBA suspended Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant for 25 games due to what they called "conduct detrimental to the league" after multiple off-court incidents involving displaying firearms on social media. Though this incident occurred a couple of years ago, many fans and basketball personalities still discuss it, and it is a big part of the discourse surrounding Morant. Advertisement Recently, a Grizzlies legend sent a message to the Murray State alum regarding his off-court incidents just a few months after the team's early playoff exit in the first round at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) © Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Despite the discussions surrounding him, there is no doubt that Morant is one of the top guards in the NBA today and is crucial to Memphis' career. This sentiment is also shared by former Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph, who offered some encouraging words to the 25-year-old. In a recent appearance on The Big Podcast, Randolph said Morant will "be alright" and that he must keep his "head up high." Advertisement 'I just tell him, you going to be alright, just keep your head up high because I've been through [expletive]…It's about how you bounce back," Randolph said about Morant. After playing in just nine games for the Grizzlies in 2023-24, Morant played 50 games for the team this past season. On the year, he averaged 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Though they had a disappointing end to their latest campaign, the Grizzlies are aiming to bounce back in 2025-26 and re-establish themselves as legitimate contenders in the West. In order for them to do so, they must continue to rely on Morant, who is just two seasons removed from an All-Star season. Advertisement Related: Desmond Bane's Honest Reaction to Grizzlies-Magic Trade Surfaces Related: Kevin Durant to Grizzlies Trade Report Receives Major Update This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brian Windhorst drops Grizzlies ‘rebuild' truth bomb on Desmond Bane trade
The post Brian Windhorst drops Grizzlies 'rebuild' truth bomb on Desmond Bane trade appeared first on ClutchPoints. In what was shocking news on a Sunday morning, the Memphis Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic in what has many debating the direction of the team. While some have said the Grizzlies should blow it all up and rebuild, one who echoed the same sentiments was ESPN's NBA insider Brian Windhorst. Advertisement Trading Bane to Orlando, Memphis got back in return Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks, and one first-round pick swap. When Windhorst gave his initial reactions to the news, he would say on 'SportsCenter' that the deal is a 'rebuild trade.' 'What does this mean for the Grizzlies? This is now what is being asked in the league, because this is a rebuild trade,' Windhorst said. 'While Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has proven to be a key piece of a championship contender twice in his career, last season did not look like that, and he has gotten older and has a big contract.' 'So this is a trade where the Grizzlies are pivoting a little bit, and it's not an insane thing,' Windhorst continued. 'Because if you look at the Western Conference, and you look at how tough it is to compete, and you look at what Memphis thinks about their hand, it may be the time to do a little bit of a pivot. There's not almost anybody in the Western Conference who is really rebuilding right now; everyone's kind of got the gas put down.' Brian Windhorst on Grizzlies' future with Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. Petre Thomas-Imagn Images After the Bane trade, many are wondering what the Grizzlies will do with Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., since the deal could signal a rebuilding process. Windhorst would ponder the same quarry as he mentioned how both Morant and Jackson are extension-eligible this summer. Advertisement 'And so what this means is the next question is, what about Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr? And I don't know the answer to this,' Windhorst said. 'The whole league is now going to investigate this. We haven't heard from the Grizzlies yet, and if I was at the Grizzlies press conference…I'd be asking, do you intend to extend Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr, both of whom are extension-eligible this summer? Is that what you're doing now? Or are you pivoting the franchise? So to me, that's the big story emanating out of this trade.' At any rate, Memphis is looking to improve after finishing with a 48-34 record, which put them eighth in the Western Conference as they were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Related: Grizzlies rumors: Bill Simmons ready for Jaren Jackson Jr. trade after Desmond Bane shocker Related: Grizzlies rumors: Kevin O'Connor suggests full 'blow-up' with 2 more blockbuster trades
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Insider makes eye-opening Ja Morant-Heat trade connection
The post NBA rumors: Insider makes eye-opening Ja Morant-Heat trade connection appeared first on ClutchPoints. With some wondering about the Memphis Grizzlies' plans with Ja Morant after the shocking trade of sending Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, there has been much speculation about the team that could be interested in the star. As some such as ESPN's Brian Windhorst see the Grizzlies' move as a rebuild trade that could impact Morant, Vince Goodwill of Yahoo Sports would link the Miami Heat to the 25-year-old. Advertisement Morant being connected to Miami currently wouldn't be the first time it's happened, as Goodwill points out that it would have been more complicated to do before the trade deadline with the Jimmy Butler saga happening. He would also say on his 'Good Word with Goodwill' podcast that Bane would've been involved in 'iterations' of a potential deal at the time. 'I don't think I'm breaking news here, but in the middle of the whole Jimmy Butler saga last year, one name that multiple league sources had brought up to me was, 'Hey, you might want to check on Ja Morant and Miami,'' Goodwill said. 'I didn't understand the iterations of it and I thought 'This was gonna be a really complicated trade (A) because of Jimmy's extension (B) because of Ja's long money, and there was iterations of Ja and Desmond Bane being shipped out, which sounds like it could be true given Desmond Bane was just traded yesterday.' Grizzlies not expected to trade Ja Morant Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports Trade rumors around Morant have been non-stop, especially ever since the Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins, but in terms of the current moment, there isn't an expectation that the team will trade the talented star. This comes from a report by Tim Bontemps of ESPN, who said that Memphis is 'not looking to deal' Morant and big man Jaren Jackson Jr., who are seen as the 'two remaining franchise cornerstones.' Advertisement 'But more star trades are not expected. Sources told ESPN that the Grizzlies are not looking to deal either of their two remaining franchise cornerstones. The team has spent the past several months clearing salary cap space to complete a renegotiation and extension of Jackson's contract this offseason, preventing him from hitting free agency in 2026. The belief is that an extension will get done, sources said. But the Bane trade gives Memphis an avenue to give Jackson even more on that deal and lock him in long term.' Looking at the Heat, the team is currently pursuing Kevin Durant, but if it does not pan through, the franchise will look for other options in adding a star, which could mean contacting the Grizzlies about Morant. At any rate, Memphis looks to improve after finishing 48-34, which put them eighth in the Western Conference before being eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Related: NBA rumors: Shams claims Heat, Rockets 'a piece or 2 away' from Kevin Durant trade Related: 2025 NBA Mock Draft 3.5: How Desmond Bane trade can lead to more 1st-round deals
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ja Morant Had Two Words After NBA Finals Game 6
Ja Morant Had Two Words After NBA Finals Game 6 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 2025 NBA Finals will have a Game 7. Unable to close out the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night, the Oklahoma City Thunder played arguably their worst game of the entire postseason. It was a near wire-to-wire victory for the Pacers, who took a lead midway through the first quarter that was never surrendered. Advertisement With Tyrese Haliburton nursing a calf injury, many had Oklahoma City as the overwhelming favorite to win Game 6. Instead, the Pacers completed a 108-91 win to force a Game 7 on Sunday at Paycom Center. Many around the NBA have been reacting to this outcome, including Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant. In a post on X, the Grizzlies point guard had just two words. "game 7 🔥," he posted. Morant just completed his sixth NBA season. The Grizzlies were swept in the opening round by Oklahoma City, making it four seasons since their last playoff series win (2022). Memphis has already undergone significant changes this offseason, trading Morant's backcourt partner Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic. One of the most dynamic offensive duos in basketball, Morant and Bane had been a formidable pairing, but their run has come to an end. Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) and Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22)Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images More Grizzlies trade rumors have persisted since Bane's departure, but Morant has insisted he will remain in Memphis. The two-time All-Star is entering the third year of his five-year, $197 million contract with Memphis. Assuming no additional trades take place, the Grizzlies will now build around he and Jaren Jackson Jr. with Bane in Orlando. Advertisement Related: Ja Morant Sends 6-Word Message After Trade Report Related: Ja Morant's Strong Reaction to Major NBA Trade on Sunday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Could the Nets trade for Grizzlies' Ja Morant after Desmond Bane deal?
Could the Nets trade for Grizzlies' Ja Morant after Desmond Bane deal? The Brooklyn Nets are in the middle of a 2025 NBA offseason in which they have a sizable amount of ammunition to make moves happen across the league. While Brooklyn seems content to let its current rebuild play out through the draft, they are also reportedly open to trading for stars like Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. What about Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant? "But more star trades are not expected. Sources told ESPN that the Grizzlies are not looking to deal either of their two remaining franchise cornerstones," ESPN's Tim Bontemps reported on Sunday concerning Morant and Grizzlies center Jaren Jackson Jr. After getting swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis was considered one of the teams looking for change, especially after firing head coach Taylor Jenkins prior to the playoffs. "Memphis handing the team to coach Tuomas Lisalo -- who wants to play a fast-paced system with tons of pick-and-roll and 3-point shooting -- is designed to maximize what Morant can do," Bontemps continued. While Bontemps' report confirms that the Grizzlies intend to move forward with Morant as part of the core, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported on Sunday (h/t to Bleacher Report's Zach Bachar) that teams will test that commitment. ESPN's Tim MacMahon said on "The Hoop Collective" podcast that Morant is still considered the face of the franchise for Memphis, but time will tell if the Grizzlies will feel that way for the long term. MacMahon said towards the end of the 2024-25 regular season that there was chatter about Morant being available this summer so for all anyone knows, Morant could still be had for the right price. Morant, 25, is coming off a 2024-25 season in which he averaged 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game while shooting 45.4% from the field and 30.9% from three-point land. While that is considered a down season based on what Morant did from 2021 to 2023, he still has the kind of ability that can raise the floor of a Nets team that will likely be in the lottery again. Morant has three years and nearly $127 million left on his current contract, but Morant could be the point guard of the future that Brooklyn has been looking for since Kyrie Irving was playing at Barclays Center. There is no indication of what the Grizzlies would want to let Morant go, but the Nets have plenty of cap space this summer along with nine tradeable first-round picks as of this writing.
