Morant breaks silence, revealing shock and displeasure over Jaren Jackson Jr.'s trade, calling the seismic roster shift a difficult business move.
The Memphis Grizzlies look much different from the way they did a month ago. Jaren Jackson Jr. is in Utah. Desmond Bane is gone. The roster Ja Morant grew up alongside has been pulled apart, and general manager Zach Kleiman has made clear the organization is moving toward a younger group built around young talents like Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, Cam Spencer, and Jaylen Wells.
Morant has not spoken to reporters since injuring his left elbow on Jan. 21, predating a stretch that included the Feb. 5 trade deadline and the most significant roster overhaul of his NBA career. On Friday, before the Grizzlies faced the Los Angeles Clippers, he finally did.
Morant called the February trade deadline period "difficult" and said he was not pleased when the organization dealt Jackson to Utah.
"I wasn't a fan of it, but it's a business, so, like I told him, he's been a pro for eight years now, so continue to be that," Morant said, via the Commercial Appeal.
Jackson and Morant formed the core of a Grizzlies team that reached the playoffs four consecutive times and won 56 games in 2021-22. Jackson won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2023 and was considered one of the top ascending two-way big men in the league. His departure, along with Bane's, marks the end of the group that carried Memphis through its most competitive stretch in decades.
Morant, who has two years remaining on his current contract, was asked how he sees himself fitting alongside that group. He did not hesitate.
"The same I would fit with any other team," Morant said. "Just whatever Ja brings to the table."
Morant was not traded by the Grizzlies before the Feb. 5 deadline, but it wasn't for a lack of trying. Memphis was discussing trades focused on the point guard for the first time in his seven-year career, but no deal transpired. Now, the focus remains on what the future holds ahead of a potentially busy offseason.
Morant has been limited to just 20 games played with the Grizzlies this season, averaging 19.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 8.1 assists.
It remains to be seen when he'll play again after Memphis announced Thursday that he will be re-evaluated in two weeks as he continues recovering from a sprained ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his left elbow.