Ja Morant Responds to Knicks Fan Recruiting Him on Video Amid NBA Trade Rumors

Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant was seemingly unimpressed with a fan's attempt to recruit him to the New York Knicks.

A video posted Tuesday night to TikTok showed a fan asking Morant to come to New York as he walked into the tunnel at Madison Square Garden.

"I'm cool," Morant responded.

Morant and the Grizzlies lost 133-120 on Tuesday night to Jalen Brunson and the Knicks, who improved to 7-0 at home so far this season.

The Grizzlies meanwhile fell to 4-8 overall and 1-3 on the road. Morant's shooting struggles continued as he went 4-for-14 from the field while contributing 16 points in the loss.

He was already coming off his worst shooting performance of the season last Sunday, when he went 3-for-18 against the Oklahoma City Thunder at home.

Morant's early-season struggles have reportedly led to a clash between him and first-year head coach Tuomas Iisalo.

The Grizzlies dealt Morant a one-game suspension for "conduct detrimental to the team" after he shot 3-for-14 in an Oct. 31 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported the suspension was due to Morant's response to Iisalo "challenging Morant's leadership and effort" following the loss.

When asked after his return to the team if he still had "joy," Morant told reporters, "No."

That apparent discontent with the Grizzlies has led to rumors the star could be traded prior to the Feb. 5 deadline this season.

Morant is signed for two more seasons after the 2025-26 campaign, and he's averaged at least 23 points and four assists in each of the last four seasons.

He's also missed significant time due to injuries or suspension over that span. ESPN's Tim Bontemps also reported last week that although Morant is "viewed as a borderline top-10" point guard, there "aren't many teams around the league" in need of a starter at the position.

Bontemps additionally noted Morant "also remains very popular in Memphis, a market players aren't exactly flocking to, and one in which Morant has repeatedly said he wants to remain."

That desire to stay in Memphis might have contributed to Morant's brushing off the call to move to Manhattan despite his struggles early in Iisalo's first full season at the helm.