Derek Fisher reveals the emotional toll of a potential Ja Morant trade, but hints change can bring unforeseen benefits.
One voice with championship credibility cautioned that any decision involving Ja Morant would reverberate well beyond the trade deadline.
With the NBA’s deadline approaching and Morant’s name again circulating in league chatter, former Los Angeles Lakers guard and five-time champion Derek Fisher offered a measured perspective on what a potential move would mean.
During an interview with TMZ Sports at Los Angeles International Airport, Fisher stopped short of predicting that the Memphis Grizzlies will trade their franchise star, but he made clear that if it happens, the emotional impact should not be underestimated.
Fisher framed the possibility through the lens of league history, noting that even the game’s most celebrated players have experienced abrupt change.
“So many great players in the history of our game have been traded before,” Fisher said.
He described the process as “traumatic,” emphasizing that a trade is rarely simple for a player who has been drafted, developed and marketed as the face of a franchise.
“That part is not easy,” Fisher said.
Still, Fisher did not portray movement as inherently negative. He suggested that, in some cases, change can reset careers and organizations alike. Drawing comparisons to recent shakeups across professional sports, Fisher said fresh circumstances can sometimes unlock new growth.
“Sometimes change is needed or required and it might not be a bad thing,” Fisher said.
He added that a new environment can present challenges that ultimately sharpen a player’s focus.
“Sometimes you need a change of scenery and new challenges put forth,” Fisher said.
Morant’s situation has drawn heightened attention in recent weeks. Earlier this month, ESPN reported that Memphis has entertained offers for the two-time All-Star amid ongoing tension with the coaching staff. Any potential deal is complicated by Morant’s current absence with a UCL sprain, a factor that league observers believe has cooled trade interest as the deadline nears.
Amid the speculation, Morant added fuel to the conversation with a cryptic post on social media, writing, “Time tells the truth.” The message arrived as questions swirled about his long-term future in Memphis and whether the franchise will ultimately commit to reshaping its roster.
On the court this season, Morant has averaged 19.5 points, 8.1 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 20 games while playing 28.5 minutes per night. His efficiency has dipped by his standards, but the Grizzlies’ evaluation, like any front office’s, extends beyond box scores.
Fisher underscored that point when discussing the off-court scrutiny that often accompanies stars of Morant’s profile. He stressed that teams operate with far more information than fans or commentators.
“Professional sports teams always do their homework and due diligence,” Fisher said.
He explained that organizations weigh both performance and personal accountability when determining whether a player fits their long-term vision.
“Where is he now? There’s personal character and there’s basketball character,” Fisher said. “In most organizations, you have to check both boxes to be a guy they want.”
While league executives debate Morant’s value and fit, Fisher’s own basketball life has shifted away from NBA arenas. The former point guard is now coaching high school boys basketball, including mentoring his stepsons, after previous stints on NBA and WNBA benches.
Fisher said the role has given him a renewed sense of purpose.
“I’m just trying to help them understand what goes into chasing your dreams and the choices you have to make,” Fisher said.
He described the experience as a blessing, one that allows him to pass along lessons learned from a career defined by pressure and transition.
“To be a good high school player and have an opportunity to play in college one day, you have to be able to focus and keep the main thing the main thing,” Fisher said.
As the deadline approaches, Morant’s future remains unresolved. Whether he stays in Memphis or faces the upheaval Fisher described, the coming days may determine not only his next address, but the next chapter of a career still searching for stability.