Ja Morant Seemingly Clears the Air on Trade Rumors After Blasting Grizzlies Coaches

Ja Morant showed support to Grizzlies on Instagram while serving suspension to end trade rumors (Image Source: IMAGN, Morant
Ja Morant showed support to Grizzlies on Instagram while serving suspension to end trade rumors (Image Source: IMAGN, Morant's IG)

Ja Morant may have shut down trade rumors regarding his potential departure from Memphis amid a rift with the Grizzlies' coaches. On Friday, Morant angrily directed reporters to Tuomas Iisalo and his staff after they repeatedly asked him to analyze Memphis' 117-112 loss to the Lakers.

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Morant only had eight points in 30 minutes on 3 of 14 shooting. He was 0-for-6 from 3.

"Go ask the coaching staff ... go ask them, they had a whole spiel in here," Morant said after a reporter asked him to analyze the loss.

He then hinted at a potential argument over his playing time. The Grizzlies suspended Morant for a game due to these comments. He missed Sunday's trip to Toronto as a result, which intensified the trade rumors.

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However, Morant took to Instagram to show where he stands with the organization. He posted a picture on his story, highlighting a signboard from a fan, which said:

"Let's go Grizz"
Ja Morant's Instagram story during Grizzlies vs Raptors (via @jamorant on Instagram)
Ja Morant's Instagram story during Grizzlies vs Raptors (via @jamorant on Instagram)

The Grizzlies struggled against the Raptors in Morant's absence. They needed a better playmaking threat to get their offense right, after scoring a season low 104 points on 24 assists.

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Latest reports on Ja Morant's trade speculation

ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Sunday that teams are monitoring Ja Morant's situation with the Grizzlies. Meanwhile, Morant and the Grizzlies don't intend to move on from their partnership despite Friday's explosive interview by the former All-Star.

"Teams across the league, though, are monitoring this, keeping an eye on where this relationship stands between Ja Morant and the Grizzlies," Charania reported on SportsCenter.
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"They want to move on here after today and after he serves this one-game suspension."

Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo addressed the suspension for the first time on Sunday before the game against the Raptors.

"The organization made a move that aligns with our standards," he said (via FanDuel Sports Network's Rob Fischer).
"The rest of the group, we're fully focused on the Raptors today. We look forward to Ja rejoining the team and moving on."
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Morant returns on Monday against the Pistons. The Grizzlies have dropped under .500 (3-4) after consecutive losses and will hope for a quick turnaround with the guard back in the lineup.

Grizzlies Nation! You can check out the latest Memphis Grizzlies Schedule and dive into the Grizzlies Depth Chart for NBA Season 2024-25.

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Edited by Arhaan Raje
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