Ja Morant’s Struggles Spotlight Grizzlies’ Growing Concerns
In a disappointing turn of events at FedEx Forum, the Memphis Grizzlies squandered a commanding 14-point halftime lead against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, ultimately falling 117-112. While Luka Doncic made a triumphant return from injury with a stellar 44-point performance, the spotlight quickly shifted to Grizzlies star Ja Morant, whose disengaged performance and cryptic post-game comments raised eyebrows throughout the basketball community. The franchise cornerstone finished with just eight points on 3-of-14 shooting—a season-low output that left fans and analysts questioning the direction of both player and team.
The post-game press conference revealed tensions that might run deeper than a single poor performance. When asked about his struggles, Morant repeatedly deflected questions to “the coaching staff,” creating an uncomfortable atmosphere that suggested internal discord. Most tellingly, when pressed about what could have been done differently to change the outcome, Morant’s response was particularly concerning: “According to them, probably don’t play me, honestly. That’s basically what the message was after, so it’s cool.” When questioned about potential physical issues or illness that might explain his performance, Morant firmly stated, “No, I’m fine,” suggesting the issues might be more about relationships than health. This exchange painted a picture of a disconnected star potentially at odds with his coaching staff—a troubling development for a franchise that has built its identity and future around his talents.
The 2025-26 season statistics highlight a broader concern about Morant’s trajectory. While still averaging 20.8 points, 6.7 assists, and 3.3 rebounds through six games, these numbers represent a decline from his career averages. More alarming is his shooting efficiency—just 40.6% from the field and a concerning 15.6% from three-point range. Availability also remains a significant concern, as Morant has appeared in only 59 contests over the past two seasons. Former NBA star Blake Griffin didn’t mince words when analyzing Morant’s performance on Amazon Prime’s postgame show: “I didn’t love what I saw from Ja Morant tonight. For a guy that’s making $40 million and needs to be the leader of this team, like, I just don’t love it.” Griffin’s assessment cut to the heart of the matter—when engaged, Morant is “an all-world talent,” but his current effort level raises serious questions about his commitment and leadership.
The ripple effects of Morant’s struggles extend beyond individual performances to the organization’s strategic direction. This past offseason saw significant roster reshaping, including trading Morant’s backcourt partner Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic. These moves were presumably made to build a more compatible supporting cast around their franchise player, making his apparent disengagement all the more concerning. The Grizzlies have invested heavily in Morant as their cornerstone, signing him to a five-year, $197.2 million contract that runs through 2028. With a 2025-26 cap hit of $39.4 million, according to Spotrac, Morant’s contract represents not just financial commitment but organizational identity—a bet that his transcendent talents would elevate the franchise to championship contention.
Trade rumors, while speculative, reveal how quickly perceptions can shift in the NBA landscape. Analysts have already begun floating potential landing spots should the relationship prove irreparable, with the Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, and Miami Heat mentioned as teams that might benefit from adding an All-NBA caliber guard to boost their offenses. Each represents a competitive team with legitimate playoff aspirations that could harness Morant’s elite talents. However, the substantial financial commitment of his contract makes any potential trade both costly and complicated, requiring careful salary matching and significant assets in return. The very emergence of such speculation, however premature, indicates how quickly the narrative around a young star can change when performance and attitude concerns emerge simultaneously.
The coming weeks will prove critical for both Morant and the Grizzlies organization as they navigate this delicate situation. Management now faces difficult questions about how to proceed—whether to double down on supporting their star through this rough patch, attempt to repair what appears to be a strained relationship with the coaching staff, or consider the once-unthinkable option of exploring trade possibilities. For Morant personally, this represents a potential inflection point in his career. At just 25 years old, his extraordinary talents remain unquestioned, but his ability to channel those abilities consistently while embracing leadership responsibilities will ultimately determine whether he fulfills his potential as a franchise cornerstone. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Memphis to see if this situation represents merely a temporary slump or the beginning of a more significant organizational reckoning.
