Ja Morant, Grizzlies' Relationship Reportedly to Be Monitored by Teams amid Trade Buzz

Teams around the NBA may sense an opportunity as the relationship between the Memphis Grizzlies and star guard Ja Morant could be on shaky ground.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Sunday on SportsCenter there has been some "tension" with Morant and head coach Tuomas Iisalo. He added that opposing teams "are monitoring this, keeping an eye on where this relationship stands."

Memphis suspended Morant for one game for conduct detrimental to the team, ruling him out for Sunday's contest against the Toronto Raptors.

Charania reported that Iisalo "[challenged] Morant's leadership and effort in a postgame exchange after Friday night's 117-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers." The Grizzlies didn't take kindly to the two-time All-Star's response to those remarks.

Lakers-Grizzlies Full Highlights

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Morant had eight points on 3-of-14 shooting in his 31 minutes on the floor against Los Angeles. His effort — or lack thereof — drew some critical remarks from retired star Blake Griffin, who's working as an analyst for Prime Video.

"For a guy that's making $40 million and needs to be the leader of this team, I just don't love it," Griffin said over clips of Morant from the game. "I don't know if he was not feeling well, if he's hurt, but that to me is a very bad sign and something that has to change."

Morant was also cryptic in his postgame media availability. He instructed reporters to "go ask the coaching staff" when questioned what he could've improved upon on the court. He added that "probably don't play me" was how Memphis' coaches might've changed things for the better in their minds.

The 26-year-old reportedly didn't see eye to eye with Taylor Jenkins, which was one reason why the Grizzlies surprisingly fired Jenkins in March with little time left before the playoffs.

Iisalo's style was supposed to suit Morant more and ensure he'd be totally bought in with the offense. Six games into the 2025-26 season, Memphis might basically be in the same situation with a new coach.

We're still a long way off to a trade looking possible because dealing Morant would be a serious blow to the Grizzlies' short-term ambitions. His one-game suspension is ringing some alarm bells, though.