The issues surrounding Ja Morant began to accelerate and concern the Memphis Grizzlies around the 2022 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland, according to an extended reported piece from ESPN’s Baxter Holmes and Tim MacMahon.
“He went to that first All-Star Game,” one team source said, “and then the alligators got him.”
Morant entered the league four years ago with no red flags that he would have off-court issues that could lead to multiple suspensions.
“Zero,” said one veteran NBA scout who scouted Morant for a lottery team in position to draft him. “He was the consummate coachable teammate, a choirboy. Underrecruited. Didn’t have many scholarship offers. Played with a chip on his shoulder. Glowing stuff. Nothing. There was absolutely nothing.”
Said a second veteran NBA scout: “I studied him inside and out. There was not one person who had a bad thing to say about him. Very much a late bloomer. Good family. Had a work ethic. Humble. He checked every single box.”
A Murray State assistant coach, James Kane, said Morant didn’t drink, didn’t smoke and created no issues.
Team sources said there were concerns about how frequently Morant, underage and often accompanied by his father, would go out drinking, and at some of Memphis’ seedier establishments and strip clubs, including on nights before games.
“There was no discipline,” a Grizzlies source said. “They felt like they could do anything they wanted. In my opinion, the enabling was out of control. Just constant. Definitely s— was swept under the rug.”
Around the time Morant signed a five-year, $194 million extension with the Grizzlies, some in Memphis noticed a change in him.
“He went from being a nice guy to every time you look up, the kid was always into it with somebody,” said one of the Memphis business owners whose establishments Morant had visited frequently. “A staff member, security, always wanting it his way. It’s just so much. I can’t say all of it. It just went bad, bro — like the way he carried himself. First, he told me he was coming with his best friend. The next thing, he started coming with an entourage. The next thing, he’s got a platinum grill in his mouth. The next thing, he’s into it with parking lot security because they won’t let him park somewhere.”
In early February 2023, before his incident at a Colorado night club, Zach Kleiman and Taylor Jenkins met with Morant to discuss off-the-court issues. Morant wasn’t interested in having the conversation and refused to acknowledge the issues of his conduct.
“As everyone is aware, Ja and the Grizzlies have had several meetings throughout this year,” Morant’s agent, Jim Tanner, wrote in a statement to ESPN. “In each of these meetings the Grizzlies have been clear with their expectations while being supportive of Ja’s efforts to work on himself on and off the court. … It is grossly inaccurate to say that Ja’s response to any meetings with the Grizzlies has ever been dismissive.”
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October 18, 2023 | 11:30 pm
